Florida health officials have confirmed the state’s first death of 2026 linked to Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially deadly bacterium commonly found in warm coastal waters.
According to the Florida Department of Health, 11 cases of Vibrio vulnificus have been reported across eight counties through July 23. The fatal case occurred in Palm Beach County and involved a person in their early 80s.
The bacterium, often referred to as “flesh-eating bacteria,” can cause severe wound infections if it enters the body through cuts, scrapes or other open wounds exposed to saltwater or brackish water. People can also become infected by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters.
While infections remain relatively rare, Vibrio vulnificus can be extremely dangerous. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about one in five people with the infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill.
People with weakened immune systems, chronic liver disease, diabetes, cancer or other underlying health conditions face the highest risk of developing severe illness.
Health officials recommend avoiding contact with warm coastal waters if you have an open wound, recent tattoo, piercing or surgical incision. Anyone who enters the water with a cut should wash the area thoroughly with soap and clean water as soon as possible.
The CDC also advises against eating raw oysters or other undercooked shellfish, as the bacteria naturally occur in coastal waters where shellfish are harvested.
Early symptoms of a wound infection may include redness, swelling, pain, warmth around the affected area and fever. Severe infections can quickly progress to blistering skin lesions, tissue damage, bloodstream infections and sepsis, making prompt medical treatment essential.
Florida typically sees an increase in Vibrio infections during the summer months as ocean temperatures rise. Cases also tend to spike after hurricanes and tropical storms, when floodwaters and storm surge can push bacteria into areas where people have open wounds.
Although the nickname “flesh-eating bacteria” is widely used, the illness is caused by a naturally occurring marine bacterium rather than a virus. Most people who swim in Florida’s waters will never become infected, but health experts say simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk.
