Cases of Vibrio confirmed in Mobile County

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — UPDATE: The Mobile County Health Department is warning people about a bacteria in the water that can make you sick after four cases of vibriosis were reported in Mobile County this year. Three of the cases were diagnosed this summer. One was a confirmed case of vibrio vulnificus or what a lot of people refer to as the flesh eating bacteria. Last year there were four total cases of vibriosis.

"I think seeing three in June and July makes me a little bit nervous. But, you know, Vibrio grows better in warm waters, and people are out more in warm waters. And so it's not unexpected," said Dr. Rendi Murphree.

Murphree says vibriosis can cause cramping and diarrhea and lead to life threatening blood infections if not immediately treated. You can contract it by eating raw or undercooked shellfish and oysters. People, usually with underlying health problems, can also get it by exposing an open cut or scratch to the bacteria in the water. Murphree says three of the four cases this year were from people who were exposed to the naturally occurring bacteria in the water.

"The waters in the south Mobile Bay and Dauphin Island are just sort of, you know, the ripest petri dish for growth of Vibrio species in the summertime, because they like that kind of middle of the road saltiness. And so if it gets too salty, you know, the further out in the Gulf you go, the less Vibrio you have. If you get too close to the rivers, the less Vibrio you have," said Murphree.

Murphree says people who are being treated for cancer or who have underlying health issues like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease should really be cautious around salty and brackish water.

ORIGINAL: As of July 23, there have been a total of four cases of vibriosis (AKA "Vibrio") reported to the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) for the year 2022. These cases have been investigated by MCHD’s Infectious Disease and Outbreaks division.

Three out of four cases reported injuries that were exposed to waters connected to the Gulf of Mexico.

Because of patient privacy rights under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), no additional identifying information will be made available to the public.

Vibrio bacteria naturally live in certain coastal waters and are present in higher concentrations between May and October when water temperatures are warmer. However, the bacteria can be present throughout the year in some areas. While Vibrio bacteria can enter the body through a break in the skin, it can also come from consuming contaminated seafood.

Avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish, cooking foods to recommended temperatures.

Avoiding exposure of open wounds (including cuts and scrapes) to salt and brackish waters. If a person gets a cut while in the water, immediately wash the wound with soap and fresh water. If the wound shows any signs of infection (redness, pain, and/or swelling) or if the cut is deep, seek medical attention immediately

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has issued a flyer, “Prevention and Control Measures: Vibriosis (non-Cholera causing species),” for students, parents, and patients to learn more about Vibrio.

Of the more than 70 species of Vibrio that exist, about a dozen can cause human illness — known as vibriosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year in the United States 80,000 individuals become sick with vibriosis, and 100 people die from their infection.

During 2021, there were four cases of vibriosis reported to MCHD.