Proponents of the “Mediterranean Diet” might promote fish, but even a technically healthy food can be a disaster for your health if it is contaminated with deadly or otherwise dangerous bacteria or parasites, as an unfortunate mother in California found out when she ate Tilapia that a deadly bacteria had contaminated.
That unfortunate woman in is Laura Barajas, a 40-year-old mother from San Jose, California. She unknowingly ate undercooked tilapia, which can be dangerous because of sea parasites, the process by which farmed fish are raised, and the significant risk of bacteriological contamination.
In fact, the issue with the bacteria that infected Mrs. Barajas is so severe that the CDC recently issued an emergency warning about it, saying that warm oceans have spread and bred the sometimes fatal Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus ) bacteria, which can enter the body through cuts or bacteria in fish. Though it can be killed by cooking fish, if one eats undercooked fish the bacteria is still present and can lead to infection.
Such is what a GoFundMe for Ms. Barajas noted, saying, “Laura, a 40-year-old mother to a wonderful six-year-old boy named Gael, recently purchased fish from a local market in San Jose and cooked herself dinner after a long day. Little did she know that this simple act would change her life forever. The following day, Laura realized something was terribly wrong, and she was diagnosed with Vibrio Vulnificus, a dangerous bacterial infection.”
Continuing, the GoFundMe added that Ms. Barajas has been in the hospital for a month and lost all of her limbs as the hospital fought to save her life, saying, “Laura has been in the hospital for over a month, fighting for her life, she is now a quadruple amputee. On September 13, 2023 all four of Lauras’ limbs had to be removed in order to save her life. Throughout this incredibly challenging time, Jose has been right by her side, providing unwavering support. He has had to miss work to care for Laura and Gael. Additionally, Jose shares custody of his two other children, whom he has not been able to see due to the immense time and stress this situation has brought upon their lives.”
Featured image credit: GoFundMe