V. vulnificus is usually found worldwide in coastal or estuarine environments with water temperatures from 9 to 31 8C. The organisms preferred habitat, however, is considerably more selective and has been reported to be water temperatures in excess of 18 8C and salinities between 15 to 25 parts per thousand (ppt).6–8 However, salinities at or greater than 30 ppt will substantially reduce the burden of V. vulnificus regardless of the water temperature.8 As a result, most cases of infection can be traced to tropical or subtropical sources. Even so, small outbreaks related to local seawater or seafood exposure have occurred in temperate climates as far north as Denmark during the summer months.6 A recent report from Israel described several cases of soft-tissue infection resulting from the handling and processing of fish (tilapia or carp) raised in freshwater aquaculture ponds