Flesh-eating bacteria cause for concern across La.

Health officials are warning fishermen, pirogue-paddlers, kayakers and other people who work or play in Louisiana waterways to use caution if they have open wounds, which could make them vulnerable to infection.

Open wounds are a conduit for vibrio vulnificus, otherwise known as “flesh-eating bacteria,” said Dr. Jimmy Guidry, health officer at the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

Louisiana has already logged four cases of infection from vibrio vulnificus so far this year, which typically reports between five and 15 cases each year.

“In most cases, swimming, fishing and other water activities are safe as long as you take the proper precautions,” said Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals

Secretary Kathy Kliebert. “We don’t want to scare people away from enjoying Louisiana’s outdoors.”

But she and Guidry also said the threat to health from vulnificus is real and that warnings should be heeded.

“Vibrio vulnificus is more abundant in the summer. It normally lives in warm seawater or brackish water, and exposure is particularly harmful to individuals with chronic liver disease or weakened immune systems,” said Guidry. “If you experience symptoms of infection after exposure to seawater or brackish water, seek medical care immediately.”

Symptoms of infection include fever, chills, decreased blood pressure, blistering skin lesions, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. The bacteria invades the bloodstream and may cause severe, potentially life-threatening illness. In addition to seawater you can also contract Vibrio vulnificus by eating contaminated raw shellfish.

DHH offers the following tips for reducing your risk:

* If you have open wounds, do not get in seawater, brackish water or other salty water.

* Check children for open wounds before allowing them to get in the water.

* If you experience chronic illness of the liver, kidney failure, other immune disorders, or have ever been through chemotherapy, used steroids for an extended period of time or use antacids, eat shellfish fully cooked.

* Avoid cross contaminating raw shellfish and its juices with other food.

If you have an open wound, take care when handling shellfish.