The so-called “flesh-eating bacteria” does not actually eat flesh.
But that comes as little comfort to victims of Vibrio vulnificus who see their bodies seemingly chewed away like a bad effect in a zombie movie as the infection causes the skin and soft tissue around a wound to quickly break down.
Treatment may require limb amputation to stop the rapid flesh deterioration, and the infection can be fatal.
“About 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill,” the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said on its website.
Eleven people in Florida have contracted Vibrio vulnificus so far in 2025, according to data released July 11 by the Florida Department of Health, and four of them have died.
The deaths were in Bay, Broward, Hillsborough and St. Johns, the FDOH reported.
Here’s what to know about Vibrio vulnificusa, its symptoms, and how to avoid it.
What is Vibrio vulnificus?
Vibrio vulnificusa is a naturally occurring bacterial infection found in raw or undercooked seafood, saltwater, and brackish water, which is created when fresh water from a river or lake meets the salty water of the sea. It’s one of about a dozen species of vibrio species that cause human infections.
Vibrio vulnificus, while rare, can be life-threatening. Some Vibrio vulnificus infections lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies. Victims of the infection can become extremely ill, very quickly.
Vibrio infection is treated with antibiotics and surgery to remove dead or infected tissue, which can include amputation. In some cases, if it is not caught and treated immediately, it can be fatal.
Cases of Vibrio vulnificusa in Florida increase after big storms as flooding spreads brackish water into places it doesn’t usually get to. Last year, there were a record 82 cases and 19 deaths, most of them after October when large areas of the state were flooded by back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Nationwide, vibriosis from Vibrio vulnificus and other Vibrio bacteria causes an estimated 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths every year, according to CDC data.
Does ‘flesh-eating bacteria’ actually eat flesh?
No, but it does destroy it. Vibrio vulnificus can cause necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection which kills human tissue, including the skin and outer layer surrounding muscles, nerves, fat, blood vessels and organs.
While it’s the common nickname for the infection, calling it “flesh-eating bacteria” is inaccurate because:
How many people have died from flesh-eating bacteria in Florida?
According to the FDOH 4 people have died so far in 2025, as of Friday, July 11:
Between 2008 and 2025, 178 people in Florida have died from Vibrio vulnificus, according to FDOH records.
How many cases of flesh-eating bacteria have been reported in Florida?
According to the FDOH, 11 cases have been reported so far in 2025, as of Friday, July 11:
What are the symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus or ‘flesh-eating bacteria’?
(WARNING, AN IMAGE BELOW MAY BE TOO GRAPHIC FOR SOME AUDIENCES)
Common symptoms of Vibrio infection may include:
If you experience these symptoms after being exposed to floodwaters or eating raw seafood, seek medical attention immediately and be sure to inform your physician about your exposure. Healthcare professionals can treat the infection with antibiotics, but in extreme cases arms and legs may need to be amputated to remove dead or infected tissue.
People with compromised immune systems, liver disease, or open wounds are at higher risk for Vibrio vulnificus, the FDOH said.
Can you get the flesh-eating bacteria from another person?
“There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of Vibrio vulnificus,” the FDOH said.
How can I avoid contracting Vibrio vulnificus?
According to the FDOH and CDC:
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Does deadly ‘flesh-eating’ bacteria really eat flesh? What to know about Vibrio vulnificus
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
