Woman dies from flesh-eating bug after consuming 24 raw oysters

A Texas woman has died after her body was ravaged by a “flesh-eating bug” after she ate 24 raw oysters. 

A flesh-eating bacteria killed 55-year-old Jeanette LeBlanc less than two days after she ate 24 raw oysters from a market in Texas.

Jeanette LeBlanc’s legs were ravaged within 48 hours of eating the oysters and going crabbing in Louisiana while visiting family with her friend Karen Bowers, reports The Sun.

She spent 21 days fighting the sickness, but died on October 15.

Jeanette LeBlanc’s legs were ravaged by the flesh-eating bacteria. Picture: KLFYSource:Supplied

Bowers is now working with LeBlanc’s partner Vicki Bergquist to raise awareness of vibriosis, which can result in death in severe cases.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea, fever and chills.

Outbreaks happen in the warmer months.

People are most at risk when they eat raw or undercooked seafood. Picture: KLFYSource:Supplied

People are most at risk when they eat raw or undercooked seafood or have exposed a wound to seawater.

If they really knew what could happen to them and they could literally die within 48, 36 hours of eating raw oysters, is it really worth it?, Bergquist said.

Karen added:

I can’t even imagine going through that for 21 days. Most people don’t last.

What is vibriosis?
A strain of bacteria called Vibrio is found in oysters and other seafood. It causes vibriosis, which can be fatal in people with a weakened immune system. Around 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths occur in America every year.

People are most at risk when they eat raw or undercooked seafood or exposing a wound to seawater.

Jeanette LeBlanc’s injuries were horrendous. Picture: KLFYSource:Supplied

Most infections occur when water temperatures are warmer.

Symptoms of vibriosis include diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, nausea and vomiting, fever and chills.

This story was originally published in The Sun