Health officials along the Gulf Coast are urging beachgoers to exercise heightened caution as a surge in flesh-eating bacteria infections has led to multiple fatalities this summer. Louisiana's Department of Health confirmed nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus this year, with all patients requiring hospitalization and five deaths reported. This represents a significant uptick compared to the previous decade's average of seven cases and one death during the same period. The bacteria, which thrives in warm seawater and brackish environments like estuaries and lagoons, typically causes infections from May through October, with the Gulf Coast providing an ideal breeding ground due to its salt and heat levels. Vibrio vulnificus is the most dangerous strain, with a fatality rate of about one in five infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials advise that anyone who develops redness, swelling, pain, warmth, or discoloration around a wound that has been exposed to salt or brackish water should seek medical care immediately and inform the provider about the water exposure. Florida, which historically records more cases than other states, has reported 14 Vibrio vulnificus infections and two deaths so far this year, compared to 33 cases and five deaths for all of last year. The numbers tend to spike after tropical storms and hurricanes, which churn up coastal waters. People can contract the bacteria by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, but a large percentage of infections occur when the bacteria enters the body through small breaks in the skin during water exposure. Severe cases are more common among the elderly, individuals with weakened immune systems, and those with liver disease, diabetes, or other chronic conditions. Scientists point to climate change as a driving factor behind the bacteria's proliferation and northward expansion. A 2023 study found that the northernmost case has been shifting by about 30 miles each year, with overall case numbers rising. The CDC recommends that people immediately wash cuts and scrapes with soap and clean running water after contact with coastal waters or raw seafood. Symptoms such as fever, chills, and hot red areas on the skin that turn dark and blister warrant immediate medical attention. Oysters pose a particular risk, as contamination cannot be detected by sight. Those handling raw shellfish should wash their hands thoroughly and wear protective gloves if they have a weakened immune system. Health officials also provide cooking instructions for clams, mussels, and other shellfish, advising that any with open shells before boiling or steaming should be discarded.