South Carolina Reports 3 Vibrio Cases, 1 Death as Officials Stress Low Risk
Updated
Updated · WMBF · Sep 16
South Carolina Reports 3 Vibrio Cases, 1 Death as Officials Stress Low Risk
3 articles · Updated · WMBF · Sep 16
Summary
Three Vibrio vulnificus infections have been reported in South Carolina this year, and state health officials said they are aware of one related death.
The bacterium occurs naturally in coastal and brackish waters and can also be contracted through raw or undercooked seafood, including oysters.
South Carolina does not require Vibrio deaths to be reported, so the true death toll is unclear; the state also does not monitor the bacteria in ambient waters.
Doctors said infections remain rare—about 100 to 200 cases are reported annually in the United States—but warned people with open wounds, weakened immune systems or other medical conditions face higher risks.