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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Four people have died from a flesh-eating bacteria in Florida, the Florida Department of Health announced.
“Vibrio Vulnificus” is a flesh-eating bacterium that normally lives in warm seawater.
According to the Florida Department of Health, 11 cases have been confirmed in 2025, with four deaths.
People can get infected with Vibrio vulnificus when they eat raw shellfish, particularly oysters, or if they have open wounds and are in contact with seawater.
Some tips to avoid the bacteria are:
- Do not eat raw oysters or other raw shellfish
- Cook shellfish
- Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, or raw shellfish harvested from such waters
- Wear protective clothing when handling raw shellfish
“Water and wounds do not mix. Do not enter the water if you have fresh cuts or scrapes,” The Florida Department of Health said.
Individuals who are immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system should wear protective footwear to prevent cuts and injury caused by rocks and shells on the beach.
Confirmed cases of Vibrio Vulnificus in Florida are:
- Bay County: 1 confirmed case, 1 confirmed death
- Broward County: 1 confirmed case, 1 confirmed death
- Duval County: 1 confirmed case
- Escambia County: 1 confirmed case
- Hillsborough County: 1 confirmed case, 1 confirmed death
- Lee County: 1 confirmed case
- Manatee County: 1 confirmed case
- St. Johns County: 2 confirmed cases, 1 confirmed death
- Santa Rosa County: 1 confirmed case
- Walton County: 1 confirmed case
According to the Florida Department of Health, in 2024, there were 82 confirmed cases with 19 deaths.
