First Vibrio vulnificus Detected This Year off the West Coast of South Chungcheong Province

Chungnam Institute of Health and Environment Urges Extra Caution

The first case of Vibrio vulnificus, the bacteria that causes Vibrio sepsis, has been detected this year in the seawater off the west coast of South Chungcheong Province.

The South Chungcheong Institute of Health and Environment announced that Vibrio vulnificus was found in seawater sampled from Seocheon County on April 21. This detection occurred about 12 days later than last year.

Vibrio sepsis is contracted by eating raw seafood contaminated with the bacteria or when wounded skin comes into contact with contaminated seawater. Cases occur mainly in the summer, and the disease is particularly prevalent among high-risk groups such as people with chronic liver disease, alcoholism, or diabetes, rather than healthy individuals.

The main symptoms include an incubation period of about one to two days, followed by acute fever, chills, low blood pressure, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Skin lesions and primary sepsis may develop within 24 hours after the onset of fever.

Because the fatality rate upon infection can reach as high as 50%, it is important to take precautions such as avoiding exposure of wounded skin to seawater and thoroughly cooking seafood before consumption. Residents are urged to exercise particular caution to prevent infection.

Jung Geumhee, head of the provincial Institute of Health and Environment, stated, "For high-risk groups, Vibrio sepsis can be particularly deadly, so extra caution is needed." She added, "We will do our utmost to protect residents' health through ongoing monitoring and prompt information sharing."