Safety Advice for Fishermen
Caution! Wounds exposed to seawater, or wounds from handling crabs or fish, or wounds from tools used to clean crabs all can be infected with Vibrio vulnificus!
Vibrio vulnificus is one of several kinds of Vibrio bacteria found in seawater around the world, especially during the warmer months of the year. It occurs naturally and is not due to pollution. Because it is in the water, it may easily infect an existing wound or a wound made while fishing or cleaning shellfish or fin fish.
You can get a Vibrio vulnificus infection by getting seawater on an open wound, cut, sore, puncture or burn. This can happen when swimming or wading in seawater, or if you puncture your skin with a crab shell or a tool for peeling crab shells, or get a cut while handling raw seafood. People can also get sick from Vibrio vulnificus by eating raw shellfish. (See Vibrio vulnificus Food Safety Advice.)
Although people with certain chronic conditions like cirrhosis and diabetes are more susceptible to getting serious Vibrio vulnificus infections if they get exposed, anyone may be at risk if they injure themselves when fishing or cleaning crab or fish, or if they expose a wound, cut, sore or burn to seawater.
Seek immediate medical attention if: