Vibrio vulnificus bacterium. (Quantico69/Getty Images)(NEW YORK) — Louisiana health officials on Thursday urged residents to take precautions following an uptick in severe cases of a type of dangerous flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. Vibrio infection can result in gastrointestinal illness, wound infection, or blood poisoning, officials said. “Some species, including Vibrio vulnificus, can cause severe and life-threatening infections. People with severe infections may require intensive care or limb amputation,” health officials added.