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YouTuber and social media influencer Billy LeBlanc fell ill, and his girlfriend, Natalie Clark died of Vibrio infection from raw oysters.
Despite their popularity, Vibrio infections are a serious and potentially deadly concern associated with raw oysters. Both consuming them and coming in contact with them are risky.
This tragic loss brings the topic to the forefront; and hopefully this cautionary tale can help prevent future illnesses and deaths.
Billy LeBlanc is a popular YouTuber (justbillyleblanc) and social media influencer (Instagram @justbillyleblanc) with over 208,000 followers on his YouTube channel and 646,000 followers on Instagram. Through these social media outlets, LeBlanc chronicles farm life, travel, and food alongside his longtime girlfriend, Natalie Clark.
Natalie Clark (Instagram @clarknat) was introduced as his girlfriend by LeBlanc in a 2020 video indicating that she is from Los Angeles and has a son.
Together, they posted videos, reels, and posts involving their small farm, pets, and travels.
In an Instagram post on July 14, 2024, LeBlanc updates fans on the tragedy that has impacted their family.
“I’m sure none of you know but I recently almost died. I was in the hospital for 12 days. Unfortunately Natalie didn’t make it and she passed away. I will always remember how we got lost everywhere together. I will always love her and miss her.. Be safe and hold your loved ones tight you, never know when it’ll be the last time you see them.”
According to sources, the couple became sick with Vibrio infection after eating raw oysters.
Vibrio are a type of bacteria that lives along coastal waters. Though an oyster’s natural filter feeding process, these bacteria can concentrate inside the oysters and their tissues, making them extremely dangerous to consume raw.
1 in 5 People with Vibrio Vulnificus Infections Die!
There are more than 20 strains of this bad bug that can cause human illness. Most Vibrio infections cause only troublesome diarrhea and vomiting. However, infections with certain strains, like Vibrio vulnificus, can be very severe. Some infections can result in intensive care or limb amputation. In fact, about one in five people with Vibrio vulnificus infections die. In some cases, within a day or two of falling ill.
Unfortunately, you cannot distinguish contaminated oysters and those safe to eat. They generally do not look, smell, or even taste differently from any other oyster.
Some believe that eating oysters in months with an “R” are safe (for example, September through April). The thought process behind this old wives’ tale is that, historically, these are cooler months. While most Vibrio infection do occur during the warmer months of the year, it is not fool proof.
Vibrio infections have been reported year-round and you can become sick from eating raw oysters any month of the year.
Contrary to popular belief, drowning raw oysters in lemon juice, hot sauce, or any other acidic additive will not kill Vibrio. Also, consuming alcohol alongside them will not “decontaminate them in your gut.”
You have to cook them.
The only way to kill harmful bacteria in Oysters is to cook them properly!
This process is different for shellfish still in the shell and those that are shucked.
Discard any shellfish with shells that are already open before cooking. Those may be dead and unsafe to eat. To verify, you can also tap on them. If they close, they are safe to cook.
You can either boil them or add them to a steamer that is already steaming.
If boiling, boil until the shell open. Continue boiling for another three to five minutes.
If using a steamer, add shellfish to a steamer that is already steaming. Cook for another four to nine minutes.
Only eat shellfish that open during cooking and toss those that do not fully open.
The options are nearly limitless for cooking shucked oysters. The most important aspect is cooking them long enough to fully cook them.
If boiling, boil for at least three minutes.
For frying, leave oysters in 375° F oil for at least three minutes.
If broiling, place three inches from heat for three minutes.
When baking, preheat oven to 450° F and cook for ten minutes.
The most common symptoms associated with ingested Vibrio bacteria is watery diarrhea. Abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills may also be present.
Complications arise when the bacteria enter the bloodstream. Signs of bloodstream Vibrio infection may include fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions. This is more common in people with certain risk factors.
Risk factors include:
Get immediate medical care if you believe you have a Vibrio bloodstream infection.
Some Vibrio infections enter the body through the skin. In these cases, Vibrio symptoms appear as wound or soft tissue infections.
Some people with vibriosis have a wound or soft tissue infection. This can result in “necrotizing fasciitis” where the flesh around an open wound dies. This is sometimes referred to as “flesh eating bacteria.”
If not treated promptly, a Vibrio wound infection may lead to amputation or death.
The tragic death of Natalie Clark and unfortunate nearly fatal Vibrio illness of Billy LeBlanc brings attention to the risk of Vibrio infections when consuming raw oysters.
You don’t have to be Internet famous to be at risk. Everyone must take precautions to consume oysters safely.
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “YouTuber Billy LeBlanc Falls Ill and Girlfriend Natalie Clark Dies of Vibrio Infection from Raw Oysters,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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