Gamma $({gamma})-irradiation$ can be used to control pathogens such as Vibrio vulnificus in seafood. The effects of irradiation on microbial cell populations (%) have been studied in order to develop detection methods for irradiated foods. The method used in this study was ethidium bromide monoazide (EMA) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using V. vulnificus specific primer, EMA, and $SYBR^{(R)}$ Green to discriminate between ${gamma}-irradiated$ and non-irradiated cells. Confocal microscope examination showed that ${gamma}-irradiation$ damaged portions of the cell membrane, allowing EMA to penetrate cells of irradidated V. vulnificus. ${gamma}-Irradiation$ at 1.08 KGy resulted in log reduction ($-1.15{pm}0.13$ log reduction) in genomic targets derived from EMA real-time PCR. The combination cold/heat shock resulted in the highest ($-1.74{pm}0.1$ log reduction) discrimination of dead irradiated V. vulnificus by EMA real-time PCR.