A man Cary dies after contracting a vibrio after eating oysters on the NC coast

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) – A Cary man died after contracting a harmful bacteria after eating oysters on the North Carolina coast, according to family friends.

David Argay contracted Vibrio in Wilmington but died Thursday at WakeMed Hospital.

Vibrio is a bacterium that lives in salt water. There are 200 recognized species of marine vibrios, but only a few can pose serious problems.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Social Services, Vibrio infections are associated with the consumption of shellfish such as oysters, clams, shrimp and scallops.

It is not known when or in what restaurant the man ate the oysters.

Health officials have stated that these types of infections can be avoided by cooking shellfish or seafood, especially oysters, and not leaving open wounds open to seawater.

Most infections occur from May to October, when the water temperature is warmer.

The CDC reports that vibrios cause about 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths a year in the United States.