Officials in the US have queried a recent case of a California woman who had all four limbs amputated after apparently developing a life-threatening bacterial infection from eating fresh fish.
The article had been circulated online, driven by a GoFundMe page saying Laura Bajaras (40) had developed a Vibrio vulnificus infection after buying and cooking fish from a local market, and had to have all of her limbs amputated.
The page, organised by a friend named Anna Messina, appealed for help to pay for medical bills and make home modifications. So far, it has raised $117 000.
However, reports The Independent, officials from Santa Clara County are casting doubt on whether Barajas was in fact diagnosed with a Vibrio infection.
A spokesperson said doctors in the country have to report Vibrio infections within a day of diagnosis. No recent infections have been reported, meaning Barajas may not have one.
“The Public Health Department monitors for occurrence of any unusual infections and diseases, in partnership with local medical providers and laboratories,” it said.
“Public Health investigates reports of suspected Vibrio each year to prevent potential risks and promote the health and safety of the community…Preliminary information has now been received regarding this individual, confirming that no laboratory tests are positive for Vibrio. Several different diseases including but not limited to Vibrio can cause clinical outcomes like this one.”
Though the county could not confirm the diagnosis, they did identify “a hospitalised patient…matching the description”, per the statement.
Messina said that her description of Barajas’ illness on her GoFundMe page was based on her friend’s “initial diagnosis”.
A number of health conditions can necessitate amputations, including blood vessel disease, diabetes, an infection of the bones, blood clots, some tumour removal surgeries, and certain types of injuries. Three-fourths of amputations to the upper body are due to trauma.
Though there’s no evidence to suggest Barajas was infected with Vibrio vulnificus, experts have grown increasingly concerned about the bacteria.
On 1 September, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a health advisory warning the public about Vibrio infections, which are associated with warm coastal waters, with some experts predicting rising cases of this deadly infection in the coming years due to global warming.
Messina updated Barajas’s GoFundMe page on 18 September, writing, “Laura is healing well and looking forward to moving out of the ICU …Thank you again for all of …encouragement, support.”
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Woman has all four limbs amputated after eating fish
‘Sushi parasites’ have increased 283-fold in past 40 years
Kissing your pet can put you at risk of animal-borne diseases