MOBILE COUNTY, AL (WALA) - A fourth case of Vibrio Vulnificus has been confirmed by the Mobile County Health Department.
Health officials say a person contracted the bacteria at the end of June in Mobile Bay near the eastern tip of Dauphin Island.
According to the health department, the person contracted the flesh-deteriorating bacteria, through an open wound.
This is the fourth of three other Vibrio cases in Mobile County this year.
Two other Mobile County residents contracted the bacteria after eating contaminated raw seafood, according to the health department.
The third case occurred after someone with an open wound went swimming in the Mississippi Sound in mid-June, health officials say.
The Alabama Department of Public Health also confirmed a case in Baldwin County last week, where a 70-year-old woman reportedly contracted Vibrio while fishing on the Fairhope Pier.
Health officials explain Vibrio proliferates in warm, brackish water. If you have an open wound, you should be wary of swimming in local waterways.
Vibrio can live in high counts on oysters and shrimp. Locals should beware of eating raw seafood, and should take extra precaution when handling uncooked seafood and live bait.
FOX10 News Investigative Reporter Kati Weis is working to gather more details and will have a full report on FOX10 News at 5 pm.
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