Woman dies after contracting flesh eating bacteria from oysters

A Texas woman has died after contracting a flesh-eating bacterial infection after dining on raw oysters from a market.

Jeanette LeBlanc had been crabbing in Louisiana while visiting family when she ate two dozen oysters in September.

Her wife Vicki Bergquist said within 48 hours her health had rapidly deteriorated.

"She started having extreme respiratory distress, had a rash on her legs and everything," Ms Bergquist told KLFY.

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Ms LeBlanc was rushed to hospital where she was diagnosed with vibrio – a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause physical symptoms like cramping, vomiting, fever, skin breakdown and ulcers.

"It’s a flesh-eating bacteria. She had severe wounds on her legs from that bacteria," Ms Bergquist said.
Experts say vibrio can be contracted by eating raw shellfish or exposing open wounds to salty water.

Ms LeBlanc fought for her life for 21 days. She died on October 15.

After watching her partner lose her battle with vibrio, Ms Bergquist is trying to raise awareness about the dangerous bacteria.

"If we had known that the risk was so high, I think she would’ve stopped eating oysters," Ms Bergquist said.