Barajas had purchased a tilapia fish from a San Jose market in July 2023. However, after eating the fish for dinner, she began to feel ill.
In the days that followed, the 40-year-old’s condition worsened rapidly, leading to her hospitalization and placement in a medically induced coma, as her friend Anna Messina explained.
By September, Barajas underwent emergency life-saving surgery that resulted in the amputation of her four limbs.
Messina told KRON 4: “It’s just been really heavy on all of us. It’s terrible. This could’ve happened to any of us. She almost lost her life. She was on a respirator. They put her into a medically induced coma.
“Her fingers were black, her feet were black her bottom lip was black. She had complete sepsis and her kidneys were failing.”
She added: “Be thankful for what we have right now because it can be taken away so quickly so easily.”
To support Barajas with her medical expenses and ongoing care needs, Messina set up a GoFundMe page that has gathered over $147,000 so far.
The fundraiser notes that Barajas, who lives with her six-year-old son and her partner of eight years, Jose Valdez, is in urgent need of assistance as the family adjusts to the significant changes in their lives.
Valdez, employed by a local realtor, has depleted his paid time off, and the Family Disability program only covers 60 percent of his regular income, Messina stated.
Barajas was reportedly infected with vibrio vulnificus, which the CDC states has about 150 to 200 reported cases annually, with around one in five proving fatal.
However, in 2023, health officials expressed skepticism about her reported diagnosis.
According to The Independent, a spokesperson mentioned that hospitals are legally required to report vibrio infection cases within a day of diagnosis.
They added: “The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department monitors for occurrence of any unusual infections and diseases in partnership with local medical providers and laboratories, which are required to report certain diseases and conditions to Public Health.
“Public Health investigates reports of suspected Vibrio each year to prevent potential risks to the public and promote the health and safety of the community…Preliminary information has now been received regarding this individual, confirming that no laboratory tests are positive for Vibrio. Several different diseases including but not limited to Vibrio can cause tragic clinical outcomes like this one.”
Health officials were actively investigating the cause of Barajas’ illness, as reported by CBS at the time, while Messina mentioned (via Fox40) that they and Barajas’ family were awaiting more information about the incident.