Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria.

A flesh-eating bacteria found in warm coastal waters is responsible for at least five deaths so far this year in Louisiana, state health officials reported Thursday.

Louisiana health officials on Thursday urged residents to take precautions following an uptick in cases of the dangerous flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus.

The number of reported infections this year is significantly higher than average