路易斯安那州卫生部门近日向海滩游客发出警告，提醒他们注意弧菌感染的风险。该州今年已确诊9例弧菌（Vibrio vulnificus）感染病例，所有患者均已住院，其中5人死亡，这一数字明显高于过去十年该州的平均水平——前十年平均每年7例感染病例和1例死亡 [1]。
弧菌感染致命率极高，约有五分之一的感染者最终死亡 [1]。州卫生官员建议民众，若伤口或皮肤破损处接触咸水或半咸水后出现红肿、疼痛等症状，应立即就医 [1]。去年路易斯安那州在至少26例感染者中记录了5例死亡 [1]。
邻近的佛罗里达州今年已报告14例感染病例和2例死亡，远低于去年同期的33例感染和5例死亡 [1]。根据2023年的一项研究，弧菌感染病例最北出现的位置每年向北移动约30英里 [1]。感染多数集中在5月至10月期间报告 [1]。
Louisiana health officials are warning beachgoers of an elevated risk from Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially fatal flesh-eating bacterium, after the state recorded a notable spike in infections this year.[1] The state has confirmed nine cases of the infection in 2024, with all patients requiring hospitalization and five deaths resulting from the illness.[1] This toll exceeds the average of seven cases and one death typically seen annually over the previous decade.[1]
The bacterium is particularly dangerous because approximately one in five Vibrio vulnificus infections prove fatal.[1] Public health officials are advising residents and visitors to seek immediate medical attention if wounds exposed to salt water or brackish water develop symptoms including redness, swelling, or pain.[1] The infections are most commonly reported between May and October.[1] Last year, Louisiana recorded at least 26 infected individuals, resulting in five deaths.[1]
The geographic range of the infection appears to be expanding northward, with a 2023 study indicating the northernmost cases have been shifting by approximately 30 miles annually.[1] Neighboring Florida has also reported rising cases this year, with 14 confirmed infections and two deaths so far, compared to 33 cases and five deaths for the entirety of 2023.[1]