A popular YouTuber took to Instagram to reveal that his partner died after eating raw oysters. Billy LeBlanc said he and his girlfriend Natalie Clark contracted a virus called Vibrio Vulnificus from the raw shellfish.

Vibrio Vulnificus is a rare but serious bacterial infection that can cause fever chills and blisters and can turn “fatal in days if left untreated.”

Mr. LeBlanc, 44, from the US, said he also “almost died” from the virus as she shared news of Ms. Clark’s death.

“Unfortunately Natalie didn’t make it and she passed away,” he wrote.

Billy LeBlanc said he and his girlfriend Natalie Clark contracted a virus called Vibrio Vulnificus from raw shellfish. Billy LeBlanc/Instagram

“I will always remember how we got lost everywhere together. I will always love her and miss her,” he continued.

“Be safe and hold your loved ones tight you never know when it’ll be the last time you see them.”

Natalie did not survive the virus. Billy LeBlanc/Instagram

Mr. LeBlanc became well known after posting about his family through the account Bratayleys, featuring his ex-wife Kate and children Annie, Hayley and Caleb.

Tragically the couple’s son Caleb passed away in 2015 when he was just 13 from natural causes.

LeBlanc spent 8 days in the ICU following the infection. Billy LeBlanc/Instagram

Ms. Clark’s death has been hard on the whole LeBlanc family.

Mr. LeBlanc’s mother said the “past two weeks (have) been a very had time,” adding that her son had also been “very close to death” and spent eight days in ICU.

Mr. LeBlanc and Ms. Clark had been together for more than four years after Mr LeBlanc introduced her as his girlfriend on his YouTube channel in 2020.

Ms. Clark leaves behind her son Julian, 17, who is an aspiring actor.