The seventh case of Vibrio involving a Mobile County resident during 2017 has been reported to the Mobile County Health Department. The individual was in the Dog River area. The patient is recovering in a local hospital from the serious bacterial skin infection necrotizing fasciitis.
Of the more than 70 species of Vibrio that exist, the exact species in this case has not yet been identified. Test results do confirm it is non cholera.
To date, the first six Vibrio cases were identified as follows: two cases were identified as Vibrio vulnificus, two were Vibrio parahaemolyticus and one each of Vibrio fluvialis and Vibrio cholerae non 01-0139 (health officials say the mystery of where the patient came in contact with the bacteria may never be solved).
Some cases involved consumption of raw oysters and some were wound exposures.
The first six cases involving Mobile County residents were considered mild, and did not involve necrotizing fasciitis.
LISTEN: Vibrio vulnificus: An interview with Dr Judy Stone
According to the Centers of Disease Control & Prevention, about a dozen Vibrio species can cause human illness, known as vibriosis.
Vibrio bacteria naturally live in certain coastal waters and are present in higher concentrations between May and October when water temperatures are warmer. However the bacteria can be present throughout the year in some areas.
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