Louisiana reports nine Vibrio infections, five deaths from 'flesh-eating' bacteria

Imagine you're at the beach with a small cut on your skin.

If you go into warm ocean water, tiny germs called Vibrio vulnificus can get inside that cut and make you very sick.

These germs live naturally in warm coastal waters, and they are most common from May through October.

This year in Louisiana, nine people got sick from these germs and five of them died.

The germs are especially dangerous for people who already have health problems, like diabetes or a weak immune system.

You can also get sick by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters.

The infection can cause stomach cramps, fever and very bad skin wounds.

If a cut becomes red, swollen, painful or warm after swimming, you should see a doctor right away.

Cooking shellfish well and covering cuts with waterproof bandages helps keep you safe.