A Vibrio sepsis advisory has been issued. Because it is a disease caused by infection with a pathogen in seawater, the number of patients surges in summer. In Korea, more than 20 people die from Vibrio sepsis every year, but there is no fundamental cure.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 16th, there have been 19 Vibrio sepsis patients this year. There was 1 case in May, 2 each in June and July, and 14 in August, with cases increasing. Of these, 8 have died. Last year, there were 49 Vibrio sepsis patients and 21 of them died.
Vibrio sepsis is a disease in which the bacterium "Vibrio vulnificus" in seawater infects the human body through wounds or undercooked seafood and releases toxins into the bloodstream. People with weakened immunity, such as those with liver disease or diabetes, are especially vulnerable, and the fatality rate is over 50%.
Vibrio bacteria multiply when the sea temperature exceeds 18–20 degrees Celsius. They do not multiply at 17 degrees or below. People with chronic hepatitis, diabetes, or weakened immunity are particularly vulnerable to Vibrio infection.
Vibrio sepsis causes fever, chills, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Within 24 hours of symptom onset, blisters form or swelling occurs on the legs. Vibrio sepsis is treated with antibiotics or by removing necrotic tissue, but more than half of patients die.
To prevent Vibrio sepsis, shellfish and fish should be cooked at 85 degrees or higher. Knives and cutting boards should be disinfected before use. If you have a skin wound, it is best to avoid contact with seawater. The disease agency said, "High-risk groups with underlying conditions should strictly follow the prevention guidelines."