Vibrio vulnificus Detected in Coastal Seawater in Ulsan

【Financial News Ulsan = reporter Choi Soo-sang】 The Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 9th that Vibrio vulnificus was detected in seawater collected on the 7th from the coast near the Nasa-ri breakwater in Seosaeng-myeon, Ulju County.
This marks the first time Vibrio vulnificus has been detected along the Ulsan coast this year.
The institute notified relevant agencies of the test results and requested stronger safety management of coastal seawater and seafood. It also urged residents to exercise caution when consuming seafood and coming into contact with seawater.
Vibrio vulnificus multiplies actively when seawater temperatures are high, and more than 90% of cases are known to occur between August and October.
People can become infected by eating contaminated shellfish raw or insufficiently cooked, or by coming into contact with contaminated seawater while having open wounds on their skin.
Infection can cause acute fever, chills, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, along with skin rashes, swelling and blisters. If it progresses to sepsis, the fatality rate rises sharply. People in high-risk groups, including those with liver disease, diabetes or weakened immune systems, must avoid eating raw shellfish and coming into contact with seawater.
Last year, 68 people were infected and 26 of them died. This year, seven cases have been reported so far.
To prevent Vibrio vulnificus infection, people should wash their hands before and after handling shellfish and other seafood, avoid contact with seawater if they have open wounds, wash and disinfect cooking utensils used to prepare seafood, and store seafood at low temperatures.

[email protected] Choi Soo-sang Reporter