Four people dead in Florida for bacteria that eat meat are in coastal waters

A type of bacteria that eat meat have killed four people in Florida so far this year.

The State Health Department confirmed the deaths on a notice published on the Florida Health website.

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

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Vibrio Vulnificus is part of a broader group of Vibrio bacteria, which are found in coastal waters, the disease control and prevention centers of the United States (CDC).

This specific bacterium, vibrio vulnificus, usually lives in warm and brackish sea water, and can go into open wounds when people swim.

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

Although infections are rare, vibrio vulnificus can cause a disease called vibriosis, often marked by vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, as well as potentially serious skin infections, the previous source warned.

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The signs and symptoms of a vibrium skin infection include fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration and high, according to the CDC website.

While healthy people generally experience only mild symptoms, those who are immunocompromised or have chronic liver disease can face serious health risks.

If Vibrio Vulnificus enters the bloodstream, can cause a serious disease marked by fever, chills, septic shock and ampouple skin lesions, according to Florida Health.

Approximately half of these infections of the bloodstream are fatal.

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Some severe cases can cause an infection called necrotizing fasciitis, which is when meat around an open wound dies, CDC warns. This rare side effect has led Vibrio Vulnificus to be described as a “bacterium that eats meat.”

Florida Health has not reported cases of transmission from person to person.

Diagnosis and treatment

Bacterial infection is diagnosed by trial crops obtained from feces, wounds or blood, according to health officials.

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

Those with serious or prolonged infections should receive antibiotics to improve survival rates.

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

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“Aggressive care should be paid to the wound site; for patients with wound infections, sometimes the amputation of the infected limb is necessary,” said Florida Health.

Around one in five people will die from infection, sometimes within a day or two of the disease, according to CDC.

Prevention tips

Health officials warn against the entry of lukewater or brackish water if there are fresh cuts, scratches or wounds.

It is also recommended not to consume raw oysters and other raw shellfish, and avoid the cross contamination of other foods with raw shellfish or their juices.

Protective gloves should be used when driving raw shellfish.

Those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV or talaasemia (a group of hereditary blood disorders), as well as those who take medications of immune suppression, have a greater risk of complications and must take additional precautions, warn the CDC.

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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.