R.I. resident dies from bacteria found in ocean water

Rhode Island health officials are warning beachgoers about the risks of entering coastal waters with open wounds after a resident died of a rare bacterial infection.

The Rhode Island Department of Health said the person, who they did not identify, died sometime this month after becoming infected with vibriosis. It’s the state’s first reported case of the infection since 2017.

The infection is caused by the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus, which lives in warm seawater or brackish water. People can also develop the infection by consuming raw or undercooked seafood.

Rhode Island health officials said the infection is “very rare” but dangerous for people with underlying health issues. In severe cases, the infections can cause life-threatening sepsis. They urged people to avoid entering the ocean or brackish water if they have any open cuts, scrapes, recent surgery sites, fresh piercings, or new tattoos.

“While Vibrio is rare, it is important for anyone at risk to take precautions while spending time in or around brackish water or salt water when the weather is warm,” said Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD. “Stay out of the water and take precautions if you have a break in the skin or open wound, particularly if you are at higher risk for serious illness.”

Rhode Island officials have not said which beach the resident visited or whether they were testing certain coastal areas for the bacteria. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 150 to 200 Vibrio vulnificus infections are reported each year. Of those cases, about one in five people die — sometimes within one to two days after the person becomes ill.

Vibrio vulnificus bacteria is found in higher concentrations in warmer months, from May to October. Experts predict cases of vibriosis will become more common with rising sea temperatures. 

Last summer, the CDC reported an increase in severe and fatal Vibrio vulnificus cases in North Carolina, New York, and Connecticut.

Symptoms of Vibriosis include vomiting, watery and bloody diarrhea, fever, and headache. People are at higher risk of complications if they have liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV, or thalassemia. People receiving immune-suppressing therapy, taking medication to decrease stomach acid, or recovering from stomach surgery are also vulnerable to severe illness.

Public health officials said people should wash open wounds with soap and clean, running water if they come in contact with salt water, brackish water, or drippings from raw or undercooked seafood. They also urged people to seek immediate medical attention at the first signs of wound infection.