A 40-year-old woman in California faced the horrifying ordeal of limb amputation after contracting Vibrio septicemia from eating undercooked fish.
According to reports from the New York Post and other international media outlets, Laura Barajas, a 40-year-old resident of California, contracted Vibrio bacteria after consuming undercooked flatfish.
Barajas bought the fish from a local seafood market and prepared it for dinner. She began experiencing symptoms of the disease a few days later and was subsequently hospitalized.
Due to septicemia, Barajas’ arms, legs, and lips turned black, and her kidney function deteriorated, necessitating her on a ventilator. On the 14th, she underwent surgery to amputate her arms and legs.
Consuming seafood contaminated with the bacteria or coming into contact with infected water through an open wound can result in acquiring Vibrio septicemia.
The infection can result in life-threatening symptoms, including the potential for limb amputation. It carries a high mortality rate, with one in five infected individuals likely to die. Some reports indicate that death can occur within a day or two after infection.
A friend of Barajas commented, “This could happen to anyone,” and described the situation as “utterly horrifying.” An online fundraiser has been established to cover Barajas’ medical expenses, and more than $20,000 has been raised.
By Kim Da-woon (kdw@inews24.com)
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