Updated: May 21, 2026
What Is Vibriosis?
Vibriosis is a condition caused by bacteria in the Vibrionaceae family (excluding Vibrio cholerae) that normally live in warm seawater. Because these bacteria are naturally present in marine environments, seafood can be contaminated with and harbor these bacteria.
How do people catch this disease?
Persons who are taking medications to decrease stomach acid levels, have had recent stomach surgery, or are otherwise immunocompromised are at increased risk for vibriosis when they eat raw seafood, particularly oysters. These bacteria are frequently isolated from oysters (and other shellfish) in warm coastal waters during the summer months and do not alter the appearance, taste, or odor of oysters.
Additionally, since these bacteria are naturally found in warm marine waters, people with open wounds can be exposed to Vibrio spp. through direct contact with seawater. There is no evidence for person-to-person transmission of non-cholera vibrioses.
What are the symptoms?
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, or shock following the ingestion of raw seafood.
Vibrio can also cause an infection of the skin when open wounds are exposed to warm seawater; these infections may lead to skin breakdown and ulceration. Furthermore, persons exposed to V. vulnificus who are immunocompromised are at higher risk for invasion of the organism into the bloodstream, which can cause a severe and life-threatening illness with symptoms like fever, chills, decreased blood pressure (due to septic shock) and blistering skin lesions. About 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill.
Most healthy individuals will typically only develop mild GI or skin disease.
How is Vibriosis treated?
Vibrio spp. causing mild GI infections are not recommended to be treated with antibiotics; however, infected people should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. In contrast, people with severe or prolonged infections (which is not uncommon for people with Vibrio vulnificus) may require antibiotics and intensive care. Vibrio wound infections are treated with antibiotics and surgery to remove dead or infected tissue. In extreme situations, this surgery might include amputation.
What can be done to stop the spread of this disease?
- Do not eat raw or undercooked seafood.
- Before cooking, discard any shellfish with open shells.
- For shellfish in the shell, either:
- boil until the shells open and continue boiling for 5 more minutes, or
- steam until the shells open and then continue cooking for 9 more minutes. Note: Do not eat those shellfish that do not open during cooking. Throw out any shellfish that do not open fully after cooking.
- For shucked oysters, you can:
- Boil for at least 3 minutes,
- Fry in oil for at least 3 minutes at 375°F,
- Broil 3 inches from heat for 3 minutes, or
- Bake at 450°F for 10 minutes
- For fish, you can:
- Cook to 145°F or until it separates easily with a fork
- Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw seafood and juices from raw seafood.
- Eat shellfish promptly after cooking and refrigerate leftovers.
- Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, or to raw shellfish harvested from such waters.
- Wear protective clothing (e.g., gloves) when handling raw shellfish.