Vibrio Cases in St. Mary’s County Are on the Rise! Here’s What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself and Your Family!

Health officials have reported a rise in Vibrio cases in St. Mary’s County. Ongoing reports of Vibrio illnesses reported to St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) have prompted a public safety alert.

How do you get Vibrio infections? How serious are these illnesses? What can you do to protect yourself and your family?

Follow along for the answers to these pressing questions and more as we dive into the details of Vibrio cases in St. Mary’s County on the rise!

Vibrio Cases in St. Mary’s County Are on the Rise!

On October 7, 2025, SMCHD released a public safety alert warning residents of the recent rise in cases of Vibrio illnesses in St. Mary’s County. Reports suggest that the county is “experiencing more cases of Vibrio infection than in prior years” and warns “community members to take preventative measures.”

While the exact number of cases has not been made publicly available, it is a great time to talk shellfish safety and other ways to reduce your risk of exposure and illness.

But first, what is Vibrio and how do you get it?

What is Vibrio Anyway?

Vibrio is just as scary as the name suggests. In fact, you might recognize it from one of its more sensational names.

Flesh eating bacteria!

Did that catch your attention?

Vibrio is a bacteria that naturally occurs in brackish water. Like the water found in the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries of St. Mary’s County.

In small numbers, infection risk is low. However, during warmer weather, the bacteria are found in higher concentrations in the water. Consequently, this coincides with times that recreational water activities are more popular.

In this area, Vibrio is a recreational water concern between May and October.

However, splashing around in the Chesapeake Bay isn’t the only way to get this awful infection.

How Do You Get Vibrio Infections?

While flesh eating bacteria are commonly associated with brackish water contact, topical infections aren’t the only risk factor. In fact, raw seafood (like oysters) are a common source of Vibrio foodborne illness. There are two common ways to get Vibrio infections.

Wound exposure, and consuming food contaminated with the bacteria. There is no current evidence to suggest that person-to-person transmission of Vibrio is common.

Wound Exposure

Vibrio vulnificus thrives in warm, brackish or sea water. When people with open wounds are exposed, the bacteria can enter their bloodstream and cause infection.

Never swim with open cuts, wounds, or even scratches. Especially during peak Vibrio season.

But that is the most expected topical exposure to Vibrio bacteria. There is another, lesser but more common one people often do not consider.

Contact with raw shellfish.

I am talking about processing, cooking, or handling raw shellfish. This can also cause wound infections.

Even if you are not the one consuming these sea boogers, if you are preparing them for others, you may still become infected.

Consuming Raw Shellfish

Another common way people become sick with Vibrio infections is by consuming raw shellfish. Especially oysters.

Raw oysters doused in hot sauce, lemon juice, or even vinegar are still raw.

The only way to kill this bad bug is by heating it to a safe enough temperature to kill those germs.

Instead of opting for raw, consider baked, grilled, sautéed, fried, boiled, or any other heated option. Your body will thank you!

How Do I Know If I Have a Vibrio Infection?

Symptoms of food poisoning caused by Vibrio from contaminated raw oysters involve digestive and flu-like symptoms.

Common gastrointestinal symptoms include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Chills

Wound infections are typically topical.

Common wound infection symptoms include:

• Fever
• Redness
• Pain
• Swelling
• Warmth
• Discoloration
• Discharge

Once Vibrio enters the bloodstream, it can become deadly.

Common symptoms of bloodstream Vibrio infections include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Dangerously low blood pressure
• Blistering skin lesions

How Serious Are Vibrio Cases in St. Mary’s County?

Vibrio is a serious illness. Whether from foodborne consumption, topical food exposure, or from recreational water. Vibrio can cause life-threatening infections that can include dehydration, serious gastrointestinal illness, limb amputation, or even death.

Vibrio cases in St. Mary’s County should be taken very seriously.

How Can You Protect Your Family from Vibrio?

SMCHD recommends St. Mary’s County residents and visitors to observe some basic “best practices” to reduce the risk of Vibrio infections.

• Avoid contact with natural waters if you have skin wounds or infections. If you cannot avoid water contact, cover wounds with waterproof bandages to prevent exposure.
• Avoid cuts while in the water. Wear water shoes and waterproof gloves when fishing or handling crabbing equipment, live crabs, and oysters.
• Carry soap and clean water with you. Use these to wash any wounds that occur during water contact. If soap and clean water are not available, SMCHD recommends using hand sanitizer and re-cleaning the wound with soap and clean water as soon as you can.
• Shower after contact with natural waters. Showering after exposure to natural water washes away germs that can be lurking on your skin.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish. Raw or undercooked shellfish may be contaminated with Vibrio Do not eat it, especially if you are at risk for severe Vibrio infection. For example, people with diabetes, liver disease, weakened immune systems, iron overload disease (hemochromatosis), and those taking stomach acid reducers). SMCHD warns that “drinking alcohol while consuming raw oysters does not prevent vibriosis.”
• Seek medical attention. If you notice a wound with unusual or expanding redness, swelling, or drainage, seek medical attention immediately and tell your healthcare provider that you recently came into contact with natural waters. Do not wait. An infection can move from bad to deadly quickly.

Are You One of the Vibrio Cases in St. Mary’s County?

While it may be rare, Vibrio bacterial infections are very serious. What should you do if you are one of the Vibrio cases in St. Mary’s County?

Seek Medical Attention

If you feel you have become sick from eating food contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus, or have an infected wound, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms progress rapidly and can go from bad to worse very quickly. Get help right away!

Make A List

If you have become sick with a Vibrio infection, your local health department will likely interview you to help determine the cause of your illness.

Have you had contact with salt or brackish water? Have you come into contact with raw seafood?

What foods have you consumed in the weeks prior to becoming sick?

Make this list as early as you feel able to. The sooner you make the list, the more complete it will likely be. Your experience may point to a source of illness that impacts others.

Reach Out to a Vibrio Lawyer

If you became infected with Vibrio bacteria from eating contaminated or undercooked food, you may want to seek advice from a Vibrio lawyer. An experienced Vibrio lawyer can go over the details of your case to determine if you have a legal case.

The Lange Law Firm Can Help!

Becoming sick with a Vibrio infection can be scary. The illness can rapidly escalate to life-threatening. Medical bills, lost wages, and other burdens associated with this foodborne illness add up.

The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has helped people in situations just like yours recover millions of dollars in food poisoning and product liability cases. They can help you too!

Contact the Vibrio lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC at (833) 330-3663 or click here for a free consultation.

By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)