by Florida health officials have confirmed that four people have died due to Vibrio vulnificus infections, a deadly bacterium often referred to as “flesh-eating” for its rapid and severe tissue-damaging effects.
Where It’s Happening
Fatalities were reported in Bay, Broward, Hillsborough, and St. Johns counties, according to a July 11 update from the Florida Department of Health. These are the first Vibrio-related deaths reported in the state this year. So far, 11 cases have been confirmed statewide.
This comes after a record-setting surge in 2024, when 82 infections and 19 deaths were reported—many in the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton. Experts warn that climate change and warmer coastal waters may be fueling a broader geographic spread of the bacteria.
What Is Vibrio Vulnificus?
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium found in warm, salty or brackish waters, particularly in Gulf Coast states like Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi.
People can become infected through:
- Open wounds exposed to contaminated water
- Eating raw or undercooked seafood, especially raw oysters
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms typically appear within 12 to 24 hours and can include:
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Fever
- Skin lesions or blistering
- Sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis in severe cases
Experts say the most severe infections occur in individuals with underlying health conditions, such as:
- Chronic liver disease
- Diabetes
- Immunosuppression
- Iron overload disorders like hemochromatosis
What’s Next?
Health officials haven’t identified the exact sources of the recent infections. It remains unclear whether cases will rise further this year, but experts urge caution when entering coastal waters with open wounds and avoiding raw seafood, especially during the summer months.
