Vibrio bacterial disease
Vibrio bacterial disease (vibriosis) is an illness caused by a family of vibrio bacteria.
The bacteria lives in warm sea water and can contaminate seafood, particularly oysters and shellfish.
Where it's found
Vibrio bacteria are found in tropical waters so the risk of being exposed is higher along the north Australian coast.
In the NT, serious infections were found in the sea or rivers around the south-western shore of the Gulf of Carpentaria, near the Sir Edward Pellew Group and Limmen Bight.
Since 2000, there have been 12 serious infections of people in the NT.
Severe infections with vibrio are rare.
How it spreads
You can get vibrio bacterial disease:
- through skin cuts or wounds that are exposed to contaminated sea water and into the bloodstream:
- once in the bloodstream, the infection becomes life threatening, even with the best treatment
- consuming food or water that has been contaminated with the bacteria.
Who is at risk
People with poor immunity, such as those with chronic liver disease, have a higher risk of becoming sick.
Symptoms
Healthy people who eat food contaminated with vibrio bacteria may get gastro symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
These usually settle without treatment. The severity of the illness depends on the:
- type of vibrio
- person’s immune system.
Prevention
If you come into contact with rivers, estuaries or gulfs, you should:
- avoid exposing open wounds or broken skin to sea or river water
- if exposed, wash the wound with soap and clean water
- thoroughly cook all seafood caught in coastal and estuarine waters
- not eat any raw oysters or other raw shellfish
- avoid contaminating other food when handling raw shellfish.
If you have a compromised immune system
You should also:
- avoid swimming in rivers estuaries or sea, especially in and around the Gulf of Carpentaria
- minimise contact with tropical coastal sea water, particularly in and around the Gulf of Carpentaria
- treat any wound that becomes infected following exposure to tropical waters and seek medical advice if it gets worse.
Information for health professionals
To find out more, go to the NT Health website.
Contact
Contact your nearest Centre for Disease Control on the NT Health website.