Three dead after swimming in brackish water; NC officials warn against dangers of Vibrio

North Carolina officials are warning people with cuts or open wounds not to swim in saltwater or brackish water after three people died of an infection in July.

The state Department of Health and Human Services said three N.C. residents died from Vibrio infections in the month of July.

Vibrio are bacteria that live in warm ocean water or brackish water, which is found in estuaries where river meets the sea. Vibrio more commonly causes disease in those who eat raw or undercooked oysters and shellfish.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that vibriosis causes 80,000 illnesses each year in the United States. About 52,000 of these illnesses are estimated to be the result of eating contaminated food.

There have been 47 reported Vibrio cases in N.C. since 2019, and only eight reported deaths. Three of the deaths occurred in the last month.

In two of the three most recent deaths, the people had scratches that were exposed to brackish water in North Carolina and another state along the east coast.

The third person was also exposed to brackish water in the state. They also ate seafood that they caught personally.

The three deaths were not connected, according to the state.

How to protect yourself from Vibrio infections

Vibrio infections are more likely to be life-threatening for people with weakened immune systems or chronic liver disease.

Symptoms include signs of a skin infection, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, nausea, fever and chills. Contact your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms after being in water.

• If you have a wound (including from a recent surgery, piercing or tattoo), stay out of saltwater or brackish water, if possible. This includes wading at the beach.
• Cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if it could come into contact with saltwater, brackish water or raw or undercooked seafood.
• If you sustain any type of wound while in salt or brackish water (e.g., cutting your hand on a boat propeller or crab pot) immediately get out of the water and wash with soap and water.
• Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water after contact with saltwater, brackish water or raw seafood.
• Thoroughly cook all shellfish to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Climate change increasing frequency

Increasing water temperatures associated with climate change are causing more Vibrio cases, DHHS said, and warmer water means more bacteria in areas that were previously unaffected.

State public health veterinarian offers advice

Dr. Carl Williams is the state public health veterinarian. He said if someone has an open wound, a scratch or a new piercing, they should avoid being in salt or brackish water.

"If people sustain cuts while they're in the water, whether they cut their foot on an oyster shell, or they cut their forearm while working on their boat, and they're in that salt and brackish water, that can be a round of exposure," Williams said.

As the water warms, the bacteria is also spreading north to states that haven't dealt with the issue before.

"The geographic range is going to expand," Williams said. "I think it's just one more thing that we have to deal with as there's ongoing climate change."

Since 2019, eight of the 47 reported cases in North Carolina have been deadly.