July 18, 2025: Florida has reported four deaths and 11 confirmed cases of Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but deadly flesh-eating bacterium, so far in 2025. Health officials have issued warnings as infections surface in Bay, Broward, Hillsborough, and St. Johns counties.
The bacterium thrives in warm, brackish seawater and can enter the body through open wounds or by consuming raw shellfish, particularly oysters. While healthy individuals often recover with mild symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, Vibrio vulnificus can cause severe illness or death in vulnerable populations, especially when it enters the bloodstream.
Dr. Daniel Egan of Orlando Health emphasized the threat, stating:
“There’s a lot of bacteria in water, and Vibrio vulnificus especially likes salt water.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that one in five infected people die, often within 48 hours. Infections that reach the bloodstream are fatal nearly 50% of the time.
Florida’s Department of Health urges immediate medical attention for symptoms and recommends avoiding raw shellfish and protecting open wounds from water exposure.
Climate Change a Driving Force
Increased cases are closely tied to climate change. Warmer sea temperatures and more frequent hurricanes and storm surges create ideal conditions for the bacteria to spread inland. In 2024, Florida saw record infections—82 cases and 19 deaths—following storms like Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
Dr. Kami Kim of Tampa General Hospital warned that storm surges often contaminate freshwater systems, increasing the danger. Climate models predict that the economic burden of saltwater-dependent infections like Vibrio vulnificus will jump from $2.6 billion in 1995 to over $6.1 billion by 2090.
A 2023 study by Florida Atlantic University adds to the concern: Vibrio bacteria are increasingly found on microplastics and mixing with toxic sargassum blooms—both of which are becoming more prevalent.
How to Stay Safe
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish
- Keep open wounds away from saltwater or brackish water
- Wear gloves and protective gear when handling shellfish or fishing
- Seek immediate care if symptoms like fever, chills, vomiting, or swelling around a wound occur
Experts warn that while awareness can reduce individual risk, climate-fueled flooding and warming seas will likely keep this threat growing for years to come.