Three People in Northeastern US Die from Rare Flesh-Eating Bacteria, Health Officials Confirm

At least three people in the northeastern United States have died from a rare flesh-eating bacteria this summer, health officials have confirmed.

The bacteria, known as Vibrio vulnificus, can spread through warm, brackish water or the consumption of undercooked shellfish. One death occurred in Suffolk County, New York, while two others occurred in Connecticut. All three victims were between the ages of 60 and 80.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health said last month that three residents had been infected with the bacteria, two of whom had swum in separate locations in the Long Island Sound with open wounds. Chris Boyle, a spokesperson for the state’s health department, told HuffPost in an email Thursday that two of the infected people had died and a third was hospitalized.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a news release Thursday that while the bacteria is rare, it can be “extraordinarily dangerous.” She urged residents to take precautions when swimming in warm, brackish water or eating raw shellfish.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people with weakened immune systems, such as those with chronic liver disease, avoid eating raw shellfish. The CDC also advises people to wear protective clothing, such as gloves, when handling raw shellfish.