First ‘Flesh-Eating Bacteria’ Death Of The Year Reported In FL, Data Shows

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL — Florida reported the first death of the year from the so-called rare “flesh-eating bacteria” in the state and the country.

A person between 80 and 84 years old died from Vibrio vulnificus in June in Palm Beach County, according to data from the Florida Department of Health.

Since Jan. 1, 12 cases and one death have been reported across the state, the health department said. Data is only available through July 25.

These include two cases documented in Lee, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties, and one in Bay, Hillsborough, Marion, Okaloosa, Polk, and St. Johns counties, since the start of the year, data shows.

In 2025, Florida said 33 cases and 5 deaths, and 82 cases and 19 deaths in 2024.

The bacteria is found naturally in brackish warm coastal waters.

Vibrio infections are commonly associated with eating raw or undercooked oysters and other seafood, but also occur when people with open wounds or cuts come in contact with seawater or brackish water where the bacteria are present, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some Vibrio infections lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies, inspiring the “flesh-eating bacteria” moniker, the CDC said.

The bacteria is also known for causing a human illness called vibriosis. People at greatest risk for illness from the infection are the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, particularly those with chronic liver disease, Florida health officials said.

Signs and symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus infection can include:

• Watery diarrhea, often accompanied by stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
• For bloodstream infection: fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions.
• For wound infection, which may spread to the rest of the body: fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and discharge (leaking fluids).

The CDC suggests following these precautions:

• Don’t eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish.
• If you have a wound (including from a recent surgery, piercing, or tattoo), stay out of saltwater or brackish water, if possible. This includes wading at the beach.
• Cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if it could come into contact with salt water, brackish water, marine life, or raw or undercooked seafood and its juices. This contact can happen during everyday activities, such as swimming, fishing, or walking on the beach.
• Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water after they have contact with salt water, brackish water, marine life, raw seafood, or its juices.

Besides occurring naturally in warm coastal waters, Vibrio vulnificus infections have also been associated with hurricanes, storm surges and coastal flooding.