Chungnam, First Detection of 'Vibrio Sepsis Bacteria' This Year on the West Coast

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Vibrio vulnificus, the bacterium causing Vibrio sepsis, was detected for the first time this year in seawater off the west coast.

The Chungnam Provincial Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 11th that Vibrio vulnificus was isolated for the first time this year from seawater at Changseon-ri, Seocheon-gun on the 27th of last month.

Previously, the first detection of Vibrio vulnificus occurred in June 2018 and May 2019. However, recently, the detection period has advanced, with Vibrio vulnificus being detected from April last year and this year.

This is attributed to changes in the marine environment caused by global warming, according to the Provincial Institute of Health and Environment.

Vibrio sepsis is a third-class legally designated infectious disease with a fatality rate of up to 50%, and infection occurs when contaminated seafood is eaten raw or when wounded skin comes into contact with contaminated seawater.

It is generally known to occur mainly in high-risk groups with underlying conditions such as chronic liver disease, alcoholism, and diabetes, rather than in healthy individuals.

After infection with Vibrio sepsis, symptoms such as acute fever, chills, low blood pressure, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting appear after an incubation period of about 1 to 2 days.

Additionally, skin abnormalities and primary sepsis reportedly appear within 24 hours after fever onset.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Institute of Health and Environment conducts a "Pathogenic Vibrio Monitoring Project in the Marine Environment" every year by collecting seawater and tidal flats from 12 points in 6 cities and counties along the west coast of the province for testing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.