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Louisiana health officials report surge of infections from flesh-eating bacteria
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WBAL Baltimore News
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.
Vibrio bacteria are found naturally in warm coastal waters.
Vibrio infection can result in gastrointestinal illness, wound infection, or blood poisoning.
The mostly deadly type is Vibrio vulnificus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As many as one in five of those infections are fatal, a much higher rate than other types of Vibrio bacteria.