Another case of Vibrio vulnificus, the so-called “flesh-eating bacteria,” has been reported in Florida, according to an Aug. 13 update from the state health department. That makes a total of 15 cases for the year and two deaths from the rapidly debilitating infection.
The latest case, a person between 70 and 74 years of age, was reported in Santa Rosa County.
Louisiana has reported nine cases and five deaths this year as of Aug. 6. In Alabama, the Mobile County Health Department has reported 10 cases of vibriosis this year. The Mississippi Department of Health has reported 3.
Vibrio vulnificus infections are contracted by eating raw oysters or touching open wounds to brackish water where seawater and freshwater mix. They’re extremely rare, but infections can turn life-threatening in just a few hours, and victims may need emergency surgery — and in some cases swift amputation — to survive.
The Florida deaths were reported in Palm Beach and Marion counties. In 2025, there were 33 cases reported in Florida, and five deaths.
Here’s what to know.
Vibrio vulnificus cases in Florida
The latest Vibrio vulnificus case was confirmed in Santa Rosa County, its first this year, according to Florida Department of Health data through Aug. 8. Here’s where, along with changes since the previous week.
How do you catch Vibrio vulnificus?
Vibrio vulnificus bacteria thrive in brackish water, where fresh and salt water meet, which happens in bays, estuaries, river and spring mouths, and much of Florida’s coastline. Most people catch it by eating raw or undercooked shellfish harvested from that water, particularly oysters, but you can also get it through an exposed open wound, cut, or scrape.
The bacterium is inaccurately nicknamed the “flesh-eating bacteria” because it can cause necrotizing fasciitis, a fast-spreading bacterial infection that can quickly result in horrific tissue damage, spreading blisters, low blood pressure, fever, organ damage, sepsis, and even death.
Anyone can get a Vibrio infection, health officials said, but most healthy people who come into contact with Vibrio bacteria don’t become seriously ill. The people most at risk are
For people in these higher-risk groups, physicians often advise avoiding raw oysters entirely and staying out of the water during the summer months when they have open cuts, scrapes, or recently healed surgical wounds.
About 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within hours of becoming ill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What are the symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus?
According to the CDC, common symptoms of Vibrio infection may include:
If you experience these symptoms after eating raw seafood or being exposed to floodwaters, seek medical attention immediately. 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.
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida reports 15 Vibrio vulnificus cases, 2 deaths in latest update
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
