Overview

• Louisiana health officials confirmed two recent fatalities tied to eating raw oysters harvested in the state.
• The Louisiana Department of Health reports 22 Vibrio vulnificus infections and four deaths in 2025, with all patients hospitalized.
• Two of the deaths were linked to open-wound exposure to seawater, and one oyster-related victim was an out-of-state resident.
• The Independent reports two additional deaths and a total of 34 infections this year, highlighting a discrepancy with state figures.
• Officials urge people at higher risk to avoid raw shellfish and keep open wounds out of coastal waters, noting the infection can progress rapidly and that warmer waters are increasing risk.