Vibriosis in Virginia

• Gastrointestinal: Watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever.
• Wound Infection: Redness, swelling, pain, and potentially skin lesions or ulcers around the wound.
• Systemic (severe cases): Fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure (septic shock), especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Vibriosis primarily spreads through the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, particularly shellfish like oysters, contaminated with *Vibrio* bacteria. It can also be transmitted when open wounds or broken skin are exposed to brackish or saltwater containing these bacteria. Person-to-person transmission is extremely rare for most *Vibrio* species, with the exception of *Vibrio cholerae* in epidemic settings.

• Avoid raw seafood: Do not eat raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters. Cook all seafood thoroughly.
• Practice food safety: Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw seafood and prevent cross-amination with cooked foods.
• Wound care: Cover open wounds when in contact with brackish or saltwater. Clean any wounds exposed to such waters immediately.
• Currently, there is no vaccine available for general Vibriosis.