NEW YORK — The death of a Long Island resident has been linked to a bacterium found in raw shellfish or in seawater, which is also blamed for two deaths in Connecticut, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Wednesday.
The bacteria vibrio vulnificus was identified in a recently deceased Suffolk County resident, Hochul said.
“Although rare, vibrio bacteria has unfortunately made its way to this region and can be extremely dangerous,” the governor said in a news release.
Precautions to avoid the potentially deadly bacteria include avoiding contact of open wounds with seawater and, for those with compromised immune systems, refraining from consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, he stressed.
The death in Suffolk County is under investigation to determine if the bacteria was found in New York waters or elsewhere, the governor said, adding that health care providers should consider Vibrio vulnificus when receiving patients. with highly infected wounds or sepsis.
Health officials say anyone can get vibriosis, the disease the bacteria causes, but those with liver problems, cancer or weakened immune systems, or people taking drugs to reduce stomach acid levels, are more susceptible to the infection or have higher chances of developing complications.
The deaths in Connecticut were two of three people in the state known to have been infected with the bacteria this year, state health officials said. All were between the ages of 60 and 80, they added.
FOUNTAIN: PA
