GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas — The Galveston County Health District is warning that a man’s death was attributed to bacteria after he ate raw oysters.

What You Need To Know

  • The Galveston County Health District says a man died earlier in September after eating raw oysters

  • The man was between 30 and 40 years old and had underlying health conditions 

  • The death was attributed to Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium that exists in warm coastal waters and some inland lakes

  • Because of unusually warm ocean temperatures this year, vibrio infections in the United States are increasing

The department said the man was between the ages of 30 and 40 and had underlying health conditions.

His death was specifically attributed to Vibrio vulnificus.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that exists in warm coastal waters and some inland lakes.

It can infect marine fish and shellfish, especially oysters.

People typically get sick between 16 hours and seven days after eating contaminated food or after a wound is exposed to contaminated water.

The Galveston County Health District said that because of unusually warm ocean temperatures this year, vibrio infections in the United States are increasing.

Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, cellulitis (a red, painful rash on the skin) and blistering lesions, the health district said.

The health district said that people who are immune suppressed, have liver disease or diabetes should refrain from eating raw shellfish and stay out of coastal waters.