A YouTuber has shared a warning about the meal which left his girlfriend dead and almost killed him too.
Billy LeBlanc woke up in hospital to find his partner Natalie Clark had died as he told followers of the tragic loss earlier this week.
The social media star is best known for being the dad of the LeBlanc family on the popular YouTube channel Bratayleys which documented the kids growing up. That channel ended in 2019 after LeBlanc split from his ex-wife Katie, and he then later launched a solo channel.
“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,” he wrote on Instagram.
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“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.”
LeBlanc later commented on the post, featuring photos of him and Clark, to explain her cause of death that also made him sick: “We both got vibrio vulnificus from raw oysters.”
Vibrio Vulnificus is a rare bacterial infection that can be contracted from uncooked or undercooked fish. The bacteria can cause a serious form of the illness vibriosis that can quickly lead to sepsis.
If left untreated, the infections can be fatal. Symptoms of it come on suddenly, usually less than 24 hours after contact and include the likes of fever, chills, skin redness or a rash that quickly becomes painful, large fluid-filled blisters, vomiting, diarrhea and a fast heart rate.
It’s warned that if you have symptoms of a vibrio vulnificus infection you should go straight to hospital.
In a video shared to Instagram last night (16 July) LeBlanc shared further details with his followers as he said: “So yes, Natalie did pass away.”
He explained what had happened: “We ate oysters and we both felt sick for a couple days.
“Then I woke up and she was gone. I spent 12 days in hospital and eight days in ICU. I don’t remember much of it – I was pretty much out of it most of the time.”
He thanked followers for their love and support as he explained he’s in a ‘mourning phase’ right now.
LeBlanc's mum, Yvette Berthelot LeBlanc, also paid tribute to her son's girlfriend, writing on Facebook: "Natalie lost her life and Billy was very close to death in the ICU for 8 days.
"Please continue to pray for Natalie’s son Julian for her family and for Billy, both for his health and his heart."
Topics: Health, Social Media, YouTube
Jess Battison