Flesh-Eating Bacteria Causes Four Deaths, Multiple Infections in Florida Gulf Coast

Florida is experiencing multiple cases of infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus, a rare flesh-eating bacteria naturally found in warm seawater, resulting in at least four deaths and nearly a dozen illnesses this year. The bacteria can infect individuals through open wounds exposed to seawater or by consuming contaminated raw or undercooked seafood, with symptoms including stomach cramps, vomiting, chills, watery stool, and fever. Those at highest risk include people with compromised immune systems, liver disease, cancer, diabetes, or those undergoing immune-suppressant therapy. Health officials advise covering open wounds and thoroughly cleaning any cuts after exposure to seawater to prevent infection. Cases have been reported across multiple Florida counties including Bay, Broward, Hillsborough, and Walton, with the Florida Health Department and CDC emphasizing the rapid progression of the infection and urging immediate medical attention upon symptom onset. The increasing frequency of these cases is linked to rising water temperatures during warmer months, which provide a favorable environment for the bacteria to thrive.