Symptoms include fever, chills, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea
The Buan County Public Health Center in North Jeolla Province has issued a warning about the risk of Vibrio sepsis infection as summer approaches.
According to the health center on June 9, Vibrio sepsis mainly occurs between May and October, when seawater temperatures rise. Infection can occur if seafood is consumed raw or if skin wounds come into contact with seawater.
Symptoms such as fever, chills, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea typically appear within one to two days after infection. In most cases, within 24 hours of symptom onset, rashes and swelling develop on the lower limbs, followed by the formation of hemorrhagic blisters, which gradually progress to necrotic tissue.
In particular, individuals with liver disease, those with alcoholism, and people with weakened immune systems are classified as high-risk groups. Infection in these individuals can lead to fatal outcomes, so extra caution is required.
To prevent Vibrio sepsis, it is essential to thoroughly cook all seafood, store seafood at temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius, wear gloves and wash seafood thoroughly under running water during preparation, disinfect cutting boards and knives after use, avoid contact with seawater if you have wounds, and wash exposed areas with clean water and soap.
The health center regularly collects seawater, aquarium water, mudflats, and seafood from coastal areas two to four times each month from April to October, and requests Vibrio bacteria testing from the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Institute of Health and Environment.
A health center official stated, "High-risk groups have a higher fatality rate if infected with Vibrio sepsis, so it is especially important for them to follow the prevention guidelines."
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