Rare flesh-eating bacteria on the rise in the US: Causes, symptoms, who is at risk, prevention and more
The warm temperatures of the summer are perfect breeding climates for a variety of bacteria that thrive in increasing temperatures. These developed and quickly rising bacteria are strong enough to battle the immune system and lead to severe health problems, including death.
In 2025, a rare flesh-eating bacteria led to the death of four people in Florida. These deaths are among the 11 cases of bacterial infection confirmed in the year so far. What is this bacteria and how is it fatal? Know all about it below!
What is the flesh-eating bacteria attacking Americans?
Since 2016, Florida has recorded 448 cases and 100 deaths, all because of Vibrio Vulnificus. This is a rare flesh-eating bacteria found in warm, brackish seawater, according to state health officials.
According to the Centres for Disease Prevention and Control, the bacteria are naturally found in higher numbers from May to October, due to the warm temperatures.
How do people get infected?
Image credits: X/@erlesen
Vibrio Vulnificus infections are rare, with about 80,000 Vibrio cases and 100 related deaths each year in the United States, as per the CDC. The infections are mostly caused by the consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked seafood, when an open wound comes into contact with the bacteria-infected coastal waters, or when someone swallows the water.
Who is at risk?
This year, the deaths due to the bacteria occurred in Bay, Broward, Hillsborough and St. Johns counties. Other cases have been confirmed in Duval, Escambia, Lee, Manatee, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.
The bacteria pose a high risk to individuals with weak immune systems or chronic health conditions. "People who are most at risk are immunocompromised — people with cirrhosis, people on chemo, anybody who has a compromised immune system of any kind," said Dr.
Edward Hirsch, an infectious disease specialist at HCA Florida University Hospital, to CBS NEWS.
What are the
symptoms of Vibrio Vulnificus
?
Image credits: X/@ChrisRobbinsWX
Common symptoms of the bacterial infection include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever, as per the CDC. With open wounds, symptoms can be discolouration, swelling, skin breakdown and ulcers. According to Hirsch, "It progresses to making a hole in whatever part of your body got infected."
How is Vibrio Vulnificus a flesh-eating bacteria?
The bacteria don't eat, but kill the tissue.
It can not penetrate unharmed skin, but if it enters through an existing break- like a wound, it can cause necrotizing fasciitis, and the flesh around the infection site could die. Then, according to the CDC, the infected site could require a major surgery or even limb amputation.
How to prevent Vibrio Vulnificus infections?
Image credits: X/@cnile56ace
One of the primary methods of prevention is to rinse off after swimming in ocean water and properly clean and cook seafood, as these are the two main sources of infections.
According to the Florida Department of Health and the CDC, other prevention tips include:
Stay out of saltwater or brackish water if you have a wound or cut. If you get a cut in the water, leave the water immediately.
Cover the wounds with a waterproof bandage if they come in contact with contaminated water or seafood.
Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other seafood with raw seafood.
Immediately visit a medical professional for infected wounds.
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