Primary Vibrio vulnificus Sepsis in Kentucky

Vibrio vulnificus is associated with infection acquired during contact with sea water or with seafood, and is seldom suspected by physicians in noncoastal states. The ease of transportation of fresh raw seafood has facilitated this organism's capacity to produce disease in geographic areas in which it was previously unseen. We have reported a case of fatal Vibrio vulnificus sepsis acquired from ingestion of fresh oysters in the inland United States.