In California, a woman had to undergo the amputation of all her limbs due to a bacterial infection she contracted from consuming undercooked tilapia. There is now a cautionary message regarding this perilous bacteria, as a local woman remains in recovery after spending nearly two months in the hospital.
Different kinds of fish, including tilapia, lie in ice on display at the Green Week (Grüne Woche) agricultural trade fair on January 17, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. Green Week will be open to the public from January 17-26.
California Mom Has All Four Limbs Amputated Due to Bacterial Infection
Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning regarding a bacterial infection that can result from consuming raw or undercooked fish or exposing open wounds to coastal waters.
This alert is tragically exemplified by the life-altering experience of Laura Barajas, a 40-year-old mother from San Jose, who had to undergo limb amputations due to a bacterial infection.
According to her friend Anna Messina, Barajas purchased tilapia from a local market in late July, cooked and consumed it alone. Within days, she fell seriously ill and was hospitalized.
Her condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to respiratory support and a medically induced coma. Her extremities turned black, and she suffered from complete sepsis with failing kidneys. After a month and a half, Barajas is now without her arms and legs.
Messina suspects that the infection is Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium the CDC has been cautioning about. This bacterium can enter the body through contaminated food or contact with water where the bacterium resides, making it especially perilous for immunocompromised individuals.
As per the CDC, Vibrio bacteria cause approximately 80,000 illnesses annually in the U.S., with several pathogenic species. V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus are the most common, leading to diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. V. vulnificus, a life-threatening species, results in 150-200 annual infections, with a one-in-five fatality rate, often within days.
While Barajas' family awaits more information about the incident, Messina hopes that people will realize the fragility of life and be grateful for the present. To support Barajas with her medical expenses, Messina initiated a GoFundMe campaign, which has garnered over $20,000 in contributions.READ ALSO: Louisiana Man Contracted Necrotizing Fasciitis From Flesh-Eating Bacteria Vibrio Vulnificus, Recovering in Intensive Care Unit
Should You Stop Eating Tilapia?
Tilapia is a widely consumed and affordable fish, recognized for its leanness and rich nutritional content, including selenium, vitamin B12, niacin, and potassium. Nevertheless, there are concerns regarding its consumption due to reported issues in tilapia farming practices, such as the use of animal waste as feed and the continued use of banned chemicals in Chinese tilapia farms.
Consequently, it is advisable to avoid tilapia sourced from China to mitigate potential risks associated with these practices. Opting for seafood like wild salmon or trout, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, may offer a healthier and safer alternative.
When seeking farmed tilapia, it is advisable to choose sources from countries with established regulations and standards, such as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Ecuador, or Peru. While wild-caught tilapia is preferred, it is generally challenging to find, as the majority of tilapia available to consumers is farmed.
Alternatively, other fish varieties like salmon, trout, and herring offer higher omega-3 fatty acid content per serving and are more readily available in their wild-caught form, reducing the risk associated with banned chemicals found in some tilapia farming practices.
RELATED ARTICLE: Rare 'Flesh-Eating' Bacterial Infection Claims Lives: Northeast Region on High Alert as Vibrio vulnificus Strikes
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