Rare Infection Kills RI Resident Who Swam With An Open Wound: RIDOH

RHODE ISLAND — The Rhode Island Department of Health issued a warning to state beachgoers not to swim with an open wound because of potential exposure to a rare, but potentially fatal, bacterial infection.

RIDOH officials said to be aware of the potential dangers of vibrio bacteria if you have an open wound and enter salt water or brackish water, which is a mixture of salt water and fresh water. Open wounds include recent cuts and scrapes, recent surgery sites, and recent piercings and tattoos.

The exposure of open wounds to salt water or brackish water can lead to dangerous infections from bacteria, such as vibrio. Vibrio are different types of bacteria that normally live in warm seawater or brackish water. They can be found in higher concentrations in warmer months, from May to October, state health officials said.

RIDOH officials issued this warning after identifying a fatal case of vibriosis in a Rhode Island resident this month, caused by the bacteria vibrio vulnificus. State health officials said infections with vibrio vulnificus are rare, and they are much more serious for people with underlying health issues. In severe cases, wounds infected with vibrio vulnificus can lead to sepsis and can be life-threatening.

"While vibrio is rare, it is important for anyone at risk to take precautions while spending time in or around brackish water or salt water when the weather is warm," Director of Health Jerry Larkin said. "Stay out of the water and take precautions if you have a break in the skin or open wound, particularly if you are at higher risk for serious illness."

Before this case, Rhode Island’s last reported cases of Vibrio vulnificus occurred in 2017. Vibrio vulnificus bacteria thrive in warmer waters, and the geographic range is expanding with rising sea temperatures.

As coastal water temperatures increase, Vibrio vulnificus infections are expected to become more common. Last summer, the CDC announced an increase in severe vibrio vulnificus cases on the East Coast. Cases were identified in North Carolina, New York, and Connecticut in 2023.

In addition to infections resulting from wound exposures, people can also become infected with vibrio after eating raw or undercooked seafood. Cases can range from mild to severe and rarely result in death, state health officials said.

Vibriosis can cause symptoms including vomiting, watery and bloody diarrhea, fever, and headache. Anyone can get vibriosis, but individuals with certain medical conditions or who are taking certain medications are at an increased risk of infection and complications. They include:

• Having liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV or thalassemia;
• Receiving immune-suppressing therapy for the treatment of disease;
• Taking medication to decrease stomach acid levels;
• Having undergone recent stomach surgery.

RIDOH recommends the following to keep yourself safe from Vibrio:

• If you have an open wound or cut, avoid salt and brackish water. If you get a cut while you are in the water, leave the water immediately.
  • If your open wounds and cuts could come in contact with salt water, brackish water, or raw or undercooked seafood, cover them completely with a waterproof bandage.
  • Wash open wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and clean, running water after they come in contact with salt water, brackish water, or drippings from raw or undercooked seafood.
• If you are immunocompromised, cook raw oysters and other shellfish before eating.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw shellfish.
• Seek medical attention right away for infected wounds.

If you have signs and symptoms of infection, be sure to tell your healthcare professional, if:

• You have an open wound that might have come in contact with coastal water (including salt or brackish water), or raw or undercooked seafood or its drippings.

• You recently ate raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters.

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