Cases of vibrio vulnificus sepsis are occurring this summer. Vibrio sepsis is a disease that occurs when consuming raw fish or shellfish contaminated with vibrio bacteria or when skin wounds come into contact with seawater and become infected with vibrio bacteria. Although the number of patients is not high, it is a deadly infectious disease with an average mortality rate exceeding 50%.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, there have been 6 cases of vibrio sepsis reported this year. The first case was identified in Chungcheongnam-do in May. Two cases were reported in both June and July, and as of August, there has been 1 case, with patients emerging every month. All patients are over 60. Last year, there were 49 cases of vibrio sepsis, with 21 fatalities.
Vibrio bacteria proliferate when sea temperatures exceed 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. They do not reproduce below 17 degrees. This is also why many patients emerge in the summer when the ocean is frequently visited. Those with chronic hepatitis, alcohol addiction, or weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to vibrio infections.
Vibrio sepsis causes fever, chills, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Blisters may form or swelling may occur in the legs within 24 hours of symptom onset. Even with antibiotic treatment or removal of necrotic tissue, over half of the patients die. The mortality rate for patients with low blood pressure exceeds 90%.
To prevent vibrio sepsis, shellfish and fish must be cooked at temperatures above 85 degrees.
During the summer vacation season, cases of food poisoning are also increasing. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, there were 5,576 cases of food poisoning reported nationwide from January to June this year, an increase of 108% compared to 2,682 cases during the same period last year. Taking into account the heat wave in July and August, the actual number of patients is likely to be higher.
Among food poisoning patients, 1,016 have been infected with norovirus. Norovirus is found in water or food contaminated with human feces. There were 96 cases of food poisoning caused by Clostridium perfringens bacterial infections occurring in meat. There were 13 cases of salmonella food poisoning, which is a pathogenic bacteria found in poultry, water, and soil, primarily contracted by consuming contaminated eggs.
Experts recommend boiling water to drink in the summer and cooking meat thoroughly. Vegetables should be washed with clean water. Knives and cutting boards used for fish and meat should not be used for preparing other ingredients. When purchasing eggs, ensure they are not cracked and store them in the refrigerator away from other ingredients.