Four people dead in Florida from flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters

The state's health department confirmed the deaths in a notice posted on the Florida Health website.

A total of 11 people have contracted the bacteria in 2025, according to the same source.

Vibrio vulnificus is part of a wider group of Vibrio bacteria, which are found in coastal waters, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states. 

Another potential source of infection is raw shellfish, especially oysters, Florida Health noted.

Signs and symptoms of a Vibrio skin infection include fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration and discharge, per the CDC's website.

If Vibrio vulnificus enters the bloodstream, it can cause severe illness marked by fever, chills, septic shock and blistering skin lesions, according to Florida Health. 

About half of these bloodstream infections are fatal.

Some severe cases can cause an infection called necrotizing fasciitis, which is when the flesh around an open wound dies, the CDC cautions. This rare side effect has led to Vibrio vulnificus being described as a "flesh-eating bacteria."

No cases of person-to-person transmission have been reported, Florida Health stated.

The bacterial infection is diagnosed by testing cultures obtained from stool, wounds or blood, according to health officials.

For mild infections, the CDC recommends increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration.

For those with infected wounds, surgery may be necessary to remove dead tissue.

"Aggressive attention should be given to the wound site; for patients with wound infections, amputation of the infected limb is sometimes necessary," Florida Health stated. 

About one in five people will die from the infection, sometimes within a day or two of illness, the CDC states.

Health officials caution against entering warm saltwater or brackish water if any fresh cuts, scrapes or wounds are present.

Protective gloves should be worn when handling raw shellfish.

In 2024, a total of 82 cases of Vibrio vulnificus and 19 deaths were reported to Florida Health.

There were 46 cases and 11 deaths in 2023.