Louisiana has confirmed nine cases so far this year of Vibrio vulnificus. -- 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. Most infections are reported from May to October, and most happen in states along the Gulf Coast. The most deadly type is Vibrio vulnificus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.