No less than three people have died after contracting a rare bacterial infection in Connecticut and Latest York.

Health authorities said two patients died in Connecticut and one in Latest York’s Suffolk County this summer from Vibrio vulnificus. Three people got here down with the infection in Connecticut back in July and two of them, aged between 60 and 80, died the identical month, reported the Associated Press.

While urging residents to proceed taking crucial precautions, the Latest York Health Department has requested medical practitioners to be vigilant for symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus in patients with open wounds or unexplained sepsis.

“While rare, the Vibrio bacteria has unfortunately made it to this region and will be extraordinarily dangerous,” Latest York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news release.

What’s Vibrio vulnificus?

Vibrio vulnificus is a kind of bacteria that enters the body through the consumption of undercooked shellfish or through open wounds when the body comes in touch with seawater. Its consequences are grave, triggering a severe type of illness generally known as vibriosis, which is able to rapidly progressing into sepsis, shock and extensive tissue damage, in line with Cleveland Clinic.

The signs of the infection include diarrhea, which is commonly accompanied by cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests some precautions to safeguard oneself from the disease.

1. Shield open wounds from seawater if you’ve got a weakened immune system.

2. Keep away from consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, which could harbor the bacteria.

3. Wash your hands after touching raw shellfish.

4. Prevent cross-contamination by not mixing cooked and raw shellfish or their juices.

5. Thoroughly cleanse wounds and cuts in the event that they’ve been exposed to seawater, raw seafood or its juices.

6. In case you develop a skin infection, tell your medical provider whether your skin had are available contact with salt water or brackish water, raw seafood or raw seafood juices.

Published by Medicaldaily.com