Alabama Issues Gulf Coast Alert After 16 Vibriosis Cases, 1 Death

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 17

Alabama health officials reported 16 vibriosis infections and one death, prompting a Gulf Coast warning for swimmers and others entering coastal waters.
Vibrio bacteria naturally live in salt and brackish water and can enter through cuts, scrapes, fresh piercings or new tattoos, making open wounds the main risk factor.
May through October brings higher danger because warmer water raises vibrio levels, epidemiologist DeJuana Grant said, as Gulf Coast activity also increases during the hottest months.
The Alabama Department of Public Health urged people with broken skin to avoid coastal water when possible or seal wounds with a waterproof bandage if exposure cannot be avoided.
Officials said the bacteria are not new to Alabama waters, and the same precautions apply across other Gulf Coast areas during the seasonal peak.