Vibrio vulnificus

What is Vibrio vulnificus?

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium found in saltwater and some types of saltwater animals. Vibrio vulnificus belongs to the same genus of bacteria as cholera, but the two do not cause similar illnesses.

What are the illnesses associated with Vibrio vulnificus?

Vibrio vulnificus can cause gastroenteritis in healthy people, but for individuals with compromised immune systems or preexisting conditions like diabetes and liver disease, Vibrio vulnificus infection can lead to potentially fatal complications.

How is Vibrio vulnificus transmitted?

Vibrio vulnificus is typically transmitted in one of two ways, through eating seafood infected with the bacterium or when Vibrio vulnificus infects open wounds when the wounds are exposed to warm saltwater.

What foods are most at risk for Vibrio vulnificus contamination?

• Raw shellfish (especially oysters harvested from warm coastal waters)

What can you do to help avoid Vibrio vulnificus?

• Do not eat raw shellfish
• Cook shellfish according to safe food handling guidelines
• Avoid cross-contamination of cooked foods with raw seafood
• Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm saltwater
• Wear protective gloves when handling and preparing raw shellfish

These safety suggestions can be helpful at controlling the cross contamination threats posed by a contaminated food product, but the only way to assure you are safe from foodborne illness is to never contact a contaminated food product in the first place.

According to the CDC, the responsibility of food safety does not rest in the hands of the consumer. Quoting the CDC’s website,” In the end, it is up to the consumer to demand a safe food supply; up to industry to produce it; up to researchers to develop better ways of doing so; and up to government to see that it happens, to make sure it works and to identify problems still in need of solutions.”

Who is at the greatest risk for Vibrio vulnificus infection?

Anyone who ingests Vibrio vulnificus or people whose wounds are exposed to Vibrio vulnificus are at risk of developing an infection. Individuals with compromised immune systems or chronic diseases are at the greatest risk of developing dangerous blood infection complications from Vibrio vulnificus.

According to the CDC, individuals with preexisting conditions were 80 times more likely than healthy people to develop blood infections.

What are the symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus poisoning?

The symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus infection are similar to the symptoms of gastroenteritis:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain

For individuals who develop Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections the symptoms are:

• Fever/chills
• Septic shock (a dangerous drop in blood pressure from sepsis)
• Painful blisters and skin lesions

What are the complications that can occur from a Vibrio vulnificus infection?

Vibrio vulnificus poisoning is an acute condition and typically will pass without complication or long term effects, but for victims who develop bloodstream infections, a Vibrio vulnificus illness is not so benign. Victims of Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections face complications such as organ damage, limb amputations, coma and for about 50% of the victims, a Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infection proves to be fatal.

Advocating for Food Safety

The foodborne illness lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault promote food safety through legal advocacy, information outreach and analysis of food poisoning outbreaks. The food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have helped people harmed by contaminated foods or beverages, including clients in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and across the country.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious complications from a foodborne illness, please contact Neblett, Beard & Arsenault for a free evaluation of your case. Contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 or use our online contact form.