A California mom, Laura Barajas, had all four of her limbs amputated after consuming tilapia contaminated with Vibrio Vulnificus, a potentially deadly bacteria found in raw seafood and seawater. Barajas became seriously ill days after eating the fish purchased from a local market in San Jose and prepared at home. She was placed in a medically induced coma, and her condition deteriorated rapidly, with sepsis and kidney failure. The infection was traced back to the contaminated seafood, and doctors had to amputate all four of her limbs in a life-saving surgery.
Vibrio Vulnificus is a dangerous bacteria known to infect individuals who consume contaminated seafood or have open wounds exposed to water where the bacteria resides. It poses a significant risk to people with weakened immune systems. According to the CDC, there are approximately 150 to 200 reported cases of Vibrio Vulnificus infection in the United States each year, with about one in five of those infected succumbing to the illness.
Laura Barajas’ friends and family have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover her medical expenses and support her in adapting to her new life as a quadruple amputee. As of the last update, over $39,000 had been raised to assist with her recovery and rehabilitation.