Vibrio Species Causing Vibriosis
Vibriosis causes an estimated 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths in the United States every year. People with vibriosis become infected by consuming raw or undercooked seafood or exposing a wound to seawater. Most infections occur from May through October when water temperatures are warmer.
Information on this website focuses on Vibrio species causing vibriosis. To learn about the illness caused by certain strains of V.cholerae, visit CDC’s cholera website.
![Grilled oysters](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219070433im_/https://www.cdc.gov/vibrio/images/iStock_24135843-grilled-oyster.jpg)
Eating raw oysters can increase the chance you will get sick with vibriosis. That’s because Vibrio bacteria thrive in coastal waters where oysters are harvested.
![Older gentlemen on beach with binoculars](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219070433im_/https://www.cdc.gov/vibrio/images/iStock_76221921-man-with-binoculars.jpg)
Anyone can get sick from vibriosis, but some people may be more likely to get an infection or severe complications.
Page last reviewed: March 5, 2019