Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections

Louisiana health officials are urging caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers after a surge in Vibrio vulnificus infections this year. The state's health department reports nine confirmed cases, all requiring hospitalization, and five of those patients died. Vibrio vulnificus is a bacteria found in warm coastal waters that can enter the body through open wounds or contaminated seafood.

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