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Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections
['Associated Press']
WCCB CharlotteWCCB Charlotte
(AP) — Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters.
Louisiana has confirmed nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, the state’s health department said last week in a news release.
During the same period over the previous decade, Louisiana reported an average of seven cases and one death.
Most infections are reported from May to October, and most happen in states along the Gulf Coast.
The mostly deadly type is Vibrio vulnificus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.