Vibrio Infections Surge in NC: Stay Safe

0:00North Carolina just dropped some alarming numbers on Vibrio infections last year, with 135 cases reported in 2025, including one death. Out of those, 13 involved the nasty Vibrio Volnifika strain, the one that can trigger necrotizing faciitis, basically flesh-eating disease. This bacteria loves warm, brackish coastal waters, and hits people through raw or undercooked seafood like oysters or open wounds exposed to. It raps up in summer when temps tops 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and climate shifts are making oceans even more welcoming for it to thrive. Folks are talking about the real dangers here, especially since one in five with Volnifikas don't make it, and it can lead to amputations if it spreads fast. Symptoms hit hard with watery diarrhea, cramps, nausea, fever, chills, or worse, like low blood pressure, blisters, and swollen wounds that leak fluid. Health officials note anyone can catch it, but those with liver issues, diabetes, cancer,

1:04or weakened immune systems face severe risks. Antibiotics help the bad cases, but milder ones often resolve without. Next quarterly data drops in May, so keep wounds covered at the beach, and skip raw shellfish if your high risks stay safe out there in those warming, waters. This has been Durham News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with The Story.