Florida is known for sunshine, theme parks, and frolicking in the water. It all makes for a great vacation. But you might want to rethink that “frolicking in the water” part…. or at least pay more attention to where you do it.
As of July 11th, the Florida Health Department has recorded 11 cases this year of Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria that can become necrotizing fasciitis (flesh eating bacteria) when it enters through open wounds . And 4 of those cases have resulted in death, yielding a 1 in 3 mortality rate. Not something you want to play with.
While the infections are rare, they generally are contracted in warm brackish seawater…something Florida has a lot of at the moment. Brackish water is the area where fresh water and seawater mix, such as estuaries and where rivers flow into the sea, or even flooded areas following hurricane storm surges. Besides exposure to these waters, most victims have something else in common… they have an open wound somewhere on their body. That’s the flesh eating bacteria’s favorite – and most deadly- port of entry.
Unfortunately, one other favorite Florida pass-time can also put you at risk…eating. According to FloridaHealth.gov, people can get infected with Vibrio vulnificus when they eat raw shellfish, particularly oysters. The bacterium is frequently isolated from oysters and other shellfish in warm coastal waters during the summer months.
The symptoms of infection depend on how you were infected. If you obtained it from raw shellfish, the symptoms will likely be things like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. If the bacteria enters the body through an open wound, it can cause skin infections that may result in tissue damage, ulcers, and, in severe cases, long-term complications.
For healthy individuals, Vibrio vulnificus infections are usually mild. But for those with weakened immune systems—particularly people with chronic liver disease—the infection can be much more dangerous. The bacteria can enter the bloodstream, causing a life-threatening condition known as sepsis. Symptoms may include fever, chills, low blood pressure (septic shock), and blistering skin lesions. Bloodstream infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus are fatal in about half of all cases.
A recent study found that individuals with underlying health conditions were 80 times more likely to develop these severe bloodstream infections than healthy people. Wound infections are also more serious in people with compromised immune systems. In such cases, healing may be delayed and surgery could be required. In extreme cases, amputation might be necessary to prevent the infection from spreading.
In 2025, cases have so far appeared in the Florida counties of Bay, Broward, Duval, Escambia, Hillsbourough, St. Johns, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties. The four fatalities have occurred in Bay (Panama City), Broward (Ft. Lauderdale), St. John (Jacksonville), and Hillsborough (Tampa) counties. According to records dating back 9 years, cases across Florida have averaged nearly 50 per year.
Here are some tips from health officials to help you stay healthy and have safe and happy Florida vacation:
- Do not eat raw oysters or other raw shellfish.
- Cook shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) thoroughly.
- For shellfish in the shell, either a) boil until the shells open and continue boiling for 5 more minutes, or b) steam until the shells open and then continue cooking for 9 more minutes. Do not eat those shellfish that do not open during cooking. Boil shucked oysters at least 3 minutes, or fry them in oil at least 10 minutes at 375°F.
- Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw seafood and juices from raw seafood.
- Eat shellfish promptly after cooking and refrigerate leftovers.
- Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, or to raw shellfish harvested from such waters.
- Wear protective clothing (e.g., gloves) when handling raw shellfish.
