Key things you need to know after mum loses all four limbs from undercooked fish

17 September 2023 , 18:05

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Laura Barajas in hospital where surgeons amputated all four of her limbs after she caught a deadly disease from the undercooked tilapia fish (Image: GoFundMe)

Warnings are being sounded of the dangers of a deadly infection from eating undercooked fish after a mum horrifically lost all four of her limbs.

Laura Barajas contracted a bacterial infection from undercooking tilapia fish in late July. On Thursday, she was forced to undergo a life-saving amputation surgery after spending months in hospital battling the deadly infection. The mum nearly lost her life when she cooked and ate the fish herself, a friend said. "It's just been really heavy on all of us," Anna Messina said to News 19.

She continued: "It's terrible This could've happened to any of us... she almost lost her life. She was on a respirator."

Laura Barajas is facing a difficult future

Laura contracted sepsis after purchasing the fish at a local market in San Jose, California. She is now left with life-changing amputations as she looks to the future with her six-year-old son.

So how can people make sure they avoid a similar ordeal?

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Is Tilapia safe?

Tilapia is generally safe if it is prepared properly. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even lists it among its 'best choices' for keeping mercury consumption low and providing nutrients like vitamin B12 and protein.

"When farms raise the tilapia in proper conditions, they are safe to eat," Medical News Today said. "People should be sure to store it properly and cook it thoroughly before eating."

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Laura Barajas contracted a bacterial infection from undercooking tilapia (LightRocket via Getty Images)

WebMD says that over-eating Tilapia could cause exposure "to certain cancer-causing chemicals," while high doses could also cause bleeding problems.

Vibrio vulnificus

The infection that caused serious problems for Barajas was likely caused by eating tilapia infected with a strain of vibrio vulnificus. Its side effects were nearly fatal.

"They put her into a medically induced coma. Her fingers were black, her feet were black, and her bottom lip was black. She had complete sepsis, and her kidneys were failing," Ms Messina added.

Laura with her husband and children

"The ways you can get infected with this bacteria are, one, you can eat something that's contaminated with it [and] the other way is by having a cut or tattoo exposed to water in which this bug lives," UCSF Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Natasha Spottiswoode told KRON.

Earlier this year, three people across New York and Connecticut died from infections this summer linked to vibrio vulnificus. The bacteria is found in seawater or raw shellfish, according to the Department of Public Health.

California mom, 40, loses all four limbs after she caught vibrio from eating undercooked TILAPIA for dinner Laura Barajas, 40, has suffered the loss of all four limbs after contracting a bacterial infection from undercooked Tilapia fish link:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-with-lauras-unexpected-turn

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said one species of the bacteria can cause life-threatening infections in wounds. "Many people with Vibrio vulnificus infection require intensive care or limb amputations," the experts said. "About 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill."

What to do

Different types of fish can carry vibrio vulnificus. To avoid it, people should cook their food at 145F (62C) or "until its flesh is opaque," the CDC said.

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Other infections can also lead to necrotizing fasciitis, more commonly known as 'flesh-eating bacteria' and this can impact people with open wounds. "Necrotizing fasciitis can be caused by more than one type of bacteria," the CDC said.

Tipalia is generally safe if it is prepared properly (Getty Images)

People with wounds should stay out of salt water or where freshwater meets the sea, known as brackish water. Wounds should be washed thoroughly with soap if they come into contact with seawater, brackish water, raw seafood, or seafood juices.

If anyone with an open wound goes near the problem water then they should cover it with a waterproof bandage.

Benjamin Lynch