GALVESTON, Texas — The Galveston County Health District is warning of rising bacteria cases this summer.
It's called vibrio and it's a flesh-eating bacteria commonly found in the Gulf.
So far this year, according to GCHD, there have been 11 reported cases -- eight from people who don't live in the county and three locals. It's an increase compared to last year when there were only two cases.
"When the weather gets hot and the water gets hot, and then when the rains come and the salinity of the bay and, adjacent ocean decreases a little bit, that's perfect conditions for this bacteria to grow," Dr. Philip Keiser, with GCHD, said.
The bacteria can cause two types of infections.
"One is that it can cause problems from people eating raw oysters, primarily, but raw seafood, and typically people get nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain," Keiser said.
The second infection affects the skin.
"That is where individuals may have a cut or a sore spot that gets very red -- blisters may develop. They may get pus coming out of it," Keiser said.
For tourists like Wanda and James Ray who traveled to Galveston from Kentucky with their dogs, this is new.
"This is the first time I've ever heard of this," Wanda said.
She and her husband had oysters Wednesday night.
"I liked them, but I had a rough night," she said.
For locals, the bacteria is familiar and they take precautions.
"I'm cautious when I come out here, but I also check and say, 'Do I have an open wound?' And do my children have an open wound?" a Houston mother visiting the island said.
Health officials said those most affected by vibrio are those with preexisting health issues because it can spread rather quickly, get into the bloodstream and potentially be deadly.
Healthy people usually deal with symptoms similar to food poisoning.