Skip to content 
What is vibrio vulnificus? How does infection happen?
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacteria typically found in the ocean when temperatures are warmer, according to the CDC. It is sometimes called “flesh-eating bacteria” because some vibrio infections can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection where the flesh around a wound dies.
The bacteria is typically in higher numbers from May through October due to the warmer water.
People can get infected by eating something with the bacteria — typically raw or undercooked shellfish, like oysters — or by having an open wound get in contact with the bacteria.
People with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of complications from infection, but anyone can get sick from it.
Symptoms of “flesh-eating bacteria”
Symptoms can vary depending on how the bacteria was contracted. For people who consumed it, they may experience watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills. For people who had wounds come into contact with the bacteria, they may experience those symptoms plus low blood pressure, blistering skin lesions, warmth, discoloration, swelling or discharge, the CDC said.
Anyone with the symptoms of infection are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider if they ate raw or undercooked shellfish or had a wound exposed to those drippings or to ocean water.