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Louisiana health officials are warning beachgoers to take extra precautions after a potentially deadly bacteria killed five people in the state this year. The death toll marks a sharp increase from what Louisiana has recorded in previous years.

The bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, belongs to a broader group known as Vibrio bacteria. According to the CDC, it is found primarily in warm coastal waters and can cause serious, potentially life threatening infections.

An infection can develop when contaminated seawater enters an open wound. People can also become infected after eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters.

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported nine cases and five deaths so far this year. Officials said all nine cases were connected to people entering seawater with open wounds.

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Every patient who became infected also had existing medical conditions, according to officials. In previous years, Louisiana has averaged seven cases and one death.

The bacteria are found in higher numbers from May to October, when water temperatures are warmer, the health department noted. Officials are therefore urging people to remain cautious before entering warm coastal waters.

Although infections are rare, Vibrio vulnificus can cause an illness known as vibriosis. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, along with skin infections that may become severe.

Early signs of a Vibrio skin infection include fever, redness, pain, swelling and warmth, according to the CDC. Discoloration and discharge can also develop around an infected area.

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Healthy people generally experience only mild symptoms. However, people who are immunocompromised or have chronic liver disease can face serious health risks from an infection.

If Vibrio vulnificus enters the bloodstream, the resulting illness can become more advanced. Signs can include fever, chills, septic shock and blistering skin lesions.

Some severe cases can cause necrotizing fasciitis, an infection in which the flesh surrounding an open wound dies. This rare complication has led to Vibrio vulnificus being described as a flesh eating bacteria.

Health officials diagnose the bacterial infection by testing cultures taken from a patient. Those cultures may be obtained from stool, wounds or blood.

“People with severe infections may require intensive care or limb amputation,” Louisiana health officials warned. “About one in five people with Vibrio vulnificus infection dies, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill.”

For mild infections, the CDC recommends increasing fluid intake to help prevent dehydration. Meanwhile, people with severe or prolonged infections should receive antibiotics to improve survival rates.

Surgery may also be necessary for patients who have infected wounds. The procedure may be used to remove dead tissue from the affected area.

Health officials caution people against entering warm saltwater or brackish water when they have fresh cuts, scrapes or wounds. Protective gloves should also be worn when handling raw shellfish.

People with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV or thalassemia face a higher risk of complications, according to the CDC. Those taking medications that suppress the immune system are also considered at higher risk and should take extra precautions.