Rare bacteria in seawater and shellfish linked to three deaths in New York and Connecticut

Three people in New York and Connecticut died after becoming infected with Vibrio vulnificus, a rare flesh-eating bacteria.
The bacteria is found in warm seawater and raw shellfish such as oysters.
Two of the infections were from exposure to contaminated seawater, while one was from eating raw oysters from another state.
Health officials have issued warnings about the bacteria and precautions to take, including avoiding raw shellfish and covering open wounds.
People with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness or death from the bacterial infection known as vibriosis.