South Korea reports 1st Vibrio vulnificus case of the year
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported the first case of Vibrio sepsis, caused by Vibrio vulnificus, in 2025, in a patient in their 70s who already suffered from liver disease.
He was hospitalized at a hospital in South Chungcheong Province from May 1st for symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, indigestion, and leg swelling, and was confirmed to have vibrio sepsis on May 10th.
This has prompted the KCDC to urge the public to take preventive steps such as cooking seafood, being careful not to come into contact with seawater (if you have wounds on your skin), storing seafood at a low temperature of 5°C or below, and cooking it hygienically.
High-risk groups with underlying diseases such as liver disease and diabetes require special attention.
Vibrio vulnificus mainly lives in a wide range of coastal marine environments, including seawater, tidal flats, and fish and shellfish, and is known to multiply when seawater temperatures are above 18℃. Accordingly, the first patient occurs around May to June each year, and the highest number occurs in August to September.
If you contract vibrio sepsis, you will experience symptoms such as acute fever, chills, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Skin lesions such as rashes, swelling, and blisters (hemorrhagic) will appear on the legs within 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. If these symptoms appear, you should immediately visit a hospital and receive appropriate treatment.
Vibrio vulnificus: Risk, transmission, disease and prevention
In particular, people with underlying diseases such as chronic liver disease, diabetes, and alcohol dependence are at a higher risk of infection and death from vibrio sepsis, so if they have wounds on their skin, they should avoid contact with seawater and always cook seafood before eating.
Director Young-Mi Jee of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said, “It is important to follow preventive measures for Vibrio vulnificus sepsis, such as avoiding eating uncooked seafood, crab, and shrimp. In particular, high-risk groups with underlying diseases such as chronic liver disease, diabetes, and alcohol dependence should be especially careful, as the mortality rate is high.”