A flesh-eating bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, has claimed four lives in Florida waters, according to state health officials. The bacterium thrives in warm, brackish seawater and is more prevalent from May to October due to higher water temperatures.
The bacteria caused infections in 11 counties this year, with deaths reported in Bay, Broward, Hillsborough, and St. John’s counties. Single cases were also reported in other counties, including Duval, Escambia, and Lee.
Florida has seen a total of 89 deaths from Vibrio vulnificus since 2016. A recent surge of 19 deaths linked to Hurricane Helene has brought the annual total to 2024.
The primary way people contract Vibrio vulnificus is through eating undercooked or raw shellfish, particularly oysters. Others get infected when an open wound comes into contact with coastal waters.
Symptoms include fever, chills, redness, swelling, and nausea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people with fresh cuts and scrapes avoid entering the water and that immunocompromised individuals wear proper foot protection to prevent injuries from rocks and shells on the beach.
Source: https://www.al.com/news/2025/07/4-people-have-died-from-flesh-eating-bacteria-in-florida-who-is-at-risk.html