A 6-year-old boy in Xiamen， Fujian， was hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) after stepping on a dead fish on the beach with bare feet. The incident occurred on August 10th， and the child experienced severe foot pain， vomiting， and a high fever the following day.
According to his mother， Ms. Wang， the child was diagnosed with Vibrio vulnificus infection. Fortunately， after intensive treatment， the child has stabilized and is out of critical danger. His foot has been saved from amputation， though he will require further debridement and skin grafting surgeries. Ms. Wang emphasized the importance of taking precautions when visiting beaches.
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium commonly found in warm marine environments and is often referred to as the “silent killer of the ocean.” It can be carried by various marine organisms， including common fish， oysters， crabs， and shellfish.
This bacterium is highly virulent. Accidental injury from a marine creature carrying the bacteria can lead to infection in humans. In approximately 50% to 70% of cases， patients develop necrotizing soft tissue infection and septicemia within 24 to 48 hours， potentially leading to multiple organ failure.
Furthermore， consuming raw or undercooked shellfish， particularly oysters， can also result in infection with this bacterium， leading to cellulitis and sepsis. The mortality rate for such infections can exceed 50%.
