LB 28-284 - CANCELLED - A community-based approach to protect fishers from flesh-eating Vibrio infections

Background/Question/Methods:

Vibrio is a gram-negative bacterium which causes illness (vibriosis) in humans. According to the CDC, there are approximately 80,000 reported cases of vibriosis in the U.S yearly, with Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus as the leading disease pathogens. Surveillance of Vibrio cases is deficient with no system in place that fully documents the scope of the issue.

There are two major pathways that lead to vibriosis: foodborne and non-foodborne (through wounds). When the infection is non-foodborne, likely acquired from handling fish or exposed to marine water, the illness causing species are typically V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus, which often lead to necrotizing fasciitis and septicemia in increased risk populations.

Through evidenced-based sampling and laboratory methods, this research study focused on surveying a fishers in a fishing community in Plaquemine’s Parish. By occupational hazard, these fishers are at increased risk of acquiring non-foodborne vibriosis The objective was to examine their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding vibriosis and perceived risk of illness.

Results/Conclusions:

97 people were surveyed through oral interviews. From the results of this exploratory study, it’s shown that 25% of fishers know someone who has had a Vibrio wound infection, supporting the idea that Vibrio injury is vastly underreported. 90% of survey respondents fish during the summer months, when Vibrio species are expected to be at peak numbers, and the survey revealed that knowledge of both prevention and protection is limited.

The full results from this study inform needs for future education, prevention strategies, fatality reduction, while serving as a guide for stakeholders, policy, and future scientific research studies.