All four of Barajas’ limbs were removed in life-saving surgery this week – Photo: KRON 4
According to local press, 40-year-old Ms. Laura Barajas, living in San Jose (California, United States), was infected with bacteria from undercooked tilapia.
After months of helping him fight a devastating blood infection, doctors this week had to amputate Barajas’ organs to save his life. At present he has a 6 year old son.
Mrs. Barajas fell ill in late July after eating tilapia purchased at a local market and cooked at home.
“She was in a coma,” said Barajas’ friend Anna Messina. His fingers, toes and lips all turned black. “He had full-blown septicemia and his kidneys were failing.”
Messina started a GoFundMe campaign to support Barajas’ family’s medical expenses and help her friend adjust to her new life. The campaign initially raised over US$24,000.
Before Barajas got sick, he ate undercooked tilapia – Photo: KRON 4
Doctors said Barajas was infected with Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. This is a type of bacteria about which the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently issued a warning.
According to the CDC, there are currently 12 Vibrio species that cause disease in humans, with an average of 80,000 cases of infection, including about 100 deaths each year in the US. Of these, about 52,000 people fell ill after eating contaminated seafood.
The CDC also reports that many people with wound infections caused by V. vulnificus require intensive care or amputation, and about 20% die.
Vibrio vulnificus often lives parasitically in marine aquatic species such as shrimp, oysters… In warm water areas such as coastal areas, estuaries and brackish ponds and lakes, they thrive when the water temperature reaches above 20 °C. develop in different ways.
According to Dr. Natasha Spottiswoode, an infectious disease expert at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), the bacteria are especially worrisome for people who have weakened immune systems. Therefore people should be careful. If your wound is open, avoid soaking in water until the wound heals.
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(TagstoTranslate)Organs(T)Tilapia(T)Vibrio vulnificus(T)Bacteria(T)Infection
