Public health officials in Santa Clara County are casting doubt on a shocking story that gained national attention this week in which a San Jose woman claimed she had all four of her limbs amputated after eating grocery store fish.
The story, first detailed in a lengthy post on a GoFundMe page and later reported by multiple media outlets, said doctors had amputated the woman’s arms and legs after she became infected with the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria after cooking and eating the fish at her San Jose home. The fundraiser had generated more than $111,000 in donations as of Wednesday afternoon and was featured on People Magazine and other national news sites.
But health officials said they have not found evidence that the bacteria is to blame.
On Wednesday, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department said investigators had contacted the hospital and discovered the woman’s laboratory tests did not indicate a Vibrio bacterial infection.
“Preliminary information has now been received regarding this individual, confirming that no laboratory tests are positive for Vibrio,” said Diana Davila, a health department spokesperson.
The health department has not identified any risks to the fish-buying public at this time, Davila said.
The rare bacteria is contracted from raw or undercooked seafood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the most severe cases, the bacterial infection can cause wounds that kill surrounding skin and require amputation, leading to its reputation as a “flesh-eating bacteria,” according to the CDC.
The health department was “actively investigating” to identify the cause of the woman’s illness, Davila said. Vibrio is not the only infection that can “cause tragic clinical outcomes like this one,” she added, noting that “several different diseases” could be to blame.
The Chronicle’s attempts to contact the woman and the fundraiser organizer were unsuccessful.
The woman, according to the post, had “purchased fish from a local market in San Jose and cooked herself dinner after a long day.” The following day, it said, she “realized something was terribly wrong, and she was diagnosed with Vibrio vulnificus, a dangerous bacterial infection.”
According to the post, which had received more than 2,200 donations as of Wednesday, the woman was hospitalized for over a month and is now a quadruple amputee. Her four limbs were amputated Sept. 13 “in order to save her life,” according to the post.
Health Department investigators sought out the woman after seeing media reports about her illness, Davila said. The department monitors Santa Clara hospitals and laboratories for “unusual infections and diseases,” she said, and medical providers are required by law to report suspected cases of Vibrio infections.
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Dr. Debi Johnson is a medical expert and health journalist dedicated to promoting well-being. With a background in medicine, she offers evidence-based insights into health trends and wellness practices. Beyond her reporting, Dr. Debi enjoys hiking, yoga, and empowering others to lead healthier lives.
