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    The state is seeing a rise in cases of flesh-eating bacteria
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    The state is seeing a rise in cases of flesh-eating bacteria

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    4 minutes, 36 seconds Read

    The bacteria can infect a person with an open wound, such as a cut, and cause the skin and soft tissue around the wound to quickly break down.

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    NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Florida has seen a spike in flesh-eating bacteria cases in recent weeks after parts of the state were inundated by heavy rains and flooding due to back-to-back hurricanes, according to data from the state Department of Health.

    According to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health, there were 74 cases of Vibrio vulnificus in 2024, matching the record set in 2022 when Hurricane Ian and other devastating storms hit the state. Of this year's cases, the data also shows there were 13 deaths related to Vibrio vulnificus infections nationwide.

    Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring but potentially deadly bacterial infection that thrives in warm flood waters when hurricanes and tropical storms push a mix of fresh and salt water upstream into canals and rivers. The water transports pollutants, wastewater and deposits.

    The bacteria can infect a person with an open wound, such as a cut, and cause the skin and soft tissue around the wound to quickly break down. Treatment may require amputation of limbs to stop rapid flesh decay, and the infection can be fatal.

    “While flood waters are present, there is an increased risk of Vibrio infections, such as Vibrio vulnificus, which can be life-threatening,” the state health department warned in a news release before Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane and a wall of water made landfall on the coast and poured rain across the state.

    “Vibriobacteria, commonly found in warm coastal waters, can cause illness when ingested or when open wounds are exposed to contaminated water,” the state health department added. “After heavy rainfall and flooding, concentrations of these bacteria can increase, particularly in brackish and saltwater environments.”

    The Tampa Bay area saw the largest increase in Vibrio vulnificus cases after Hurricane Helene made landfall along the Big Bend region of Florida on September 26 as a Category 4 storm. Before Helene, there were no reported cases in Pinellas County and only one in Hillsborough County.

    But as of Sunday, there were 14 confirmed cases in Pinellas County, while there were eight in Hillsborough County, according to state health department data.

    Nationwide, about 150 to 200 cases of Vibrio vulnificus are reported to the Centers for Disease Control each year. According to the CDC, about one in five people die from this infection, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill.

    Where are there cases of flesh-eating bacteria in Florida?

    After recent hurricanes, health authorities recommended against swimming until tests could determine bacteria levels at popular beach spots. The advisories in Lee County and most Collier County beaches were lifted last week after testing showed acceptable levels of bacteria based on state guidelines.

    Although Vibrio vulnificus typically lives in warm seawater, the increase in some cases could be due to previous infections or exposure to bacteria-laden water in canals and other bodies of water.

    According to the Florida Department of Health, here is a breakdown of cases by county as of Tuesday afternoon:

    • Alachua County: 2
    • Bay County: 1
    • Brevard County: 5
    • Broward County: 1
    • Charlotte County: 4
    • Citrus County: 3
    • Clay County: 1
    • Collier County: 1
    • Duval County: 4
    • Escambia County: 4
    • Hernandez: 3
    • Hillsborough:7
    • Lee: 5
    • Leon district: 1
    • Okaloosa County: 1
    • Palm Beach County: 2
    • Pasco County: 4
    • Pinellas County: 14
    • Santa Rosa County: 2
    • Sarasota County: 2
    • Seminole County: 2
    • Sumter County: 1
    • Volusia County: 2
    • Walton County: 2

    Charlotte, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties saw unusual increases due to Helene and Milton, the state health department said.

    What is Vibrio vulnificus?

    The bacterium Vibrio vulnificus is found in raw or undercooked seafood, salt water, and brackish water, which is formed when fresh water from a river or lake meets salty sea water. Flooding puts brackish water in places it wouldn't normally go, and puts people who work in flood waters during and after storms at risk.

    Vibrio vulnificus, Although rare, it can be life-threatening. Some Vibrio vulnificus infections result in necrotizing fasciitis, a serious infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies. Without treatment, death can occur within a few days.

    People with weakened immune systems, liver disease or open wounds are at higher risk for Vibrio vulnificus, the Florida Department of Health said.

    What are the symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus?

    Common symptoms of a Vibrio infection may include:

    • Watery diarrhea, often accompanied by stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever.
    • Bloodstream infection: fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions.
    • Wound infection that can spread to the rest of the body: fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration and discharge (leakage of fluid).

    Health officials advise people experiencing these symptoms to seek medical attention immediately after exposure to flooding. Medical professionals can treat the infection with antibiotics, but in extreme cases the arms and legs may need to be amputated to remove dead or infected tissue.

    “Many people with Vibrio vulnificus infection require intensive care or limb amputations,” it says on its website.

    To avoid infection with Vibrio vulnificus, the Florida Department of Health urged taking several safety precautions:

    • Avoid swimming or wading in floodwaters, standing water, seawater and brackish water.
    • Cover open cuts or wounds with waterproof dressings if they come into contact with floodwater, standing water, seawater, or brackish water.
    • After exposure to flood water, wash skin and any open cuts or wounds thoroughly with soap and clean water.

    (This story has been updated to add new information.)

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