Florida is raising the alarm that four individuals have died and at least seven others have fallen seriously ill this year due to Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but lethal bacteria infamous for its flesh-devouring characteristics.
The state’s Department of Health verified the fatalities occurred across four counties and were all connected to exposure to this bacteria, which naturally occurs in warm, salty, or brackish coastal waters, and even hides in raw or uncooked seafood.
Now, before you begin bailing on your beach vacation, here’s the reality. Vibrio vulnificus is something that most people will never come down with. The CDC estimates only 150 to 200 cases occur across the country annually, primarily in Gulf Coast states such as Florida. But with global warming heating up ocean temperatures, the bacteria is moving further north, and it’s getting nastier. Most otherwise healthy individuals who get exposed may just end up with minor stomach complaints. But for others, particularly those with open wounds or compromised immune systems, the infection can quickly become all too real.
What is so terrifying about Vibrio vulnificus is how rapidly it can kill. If it enters the bloodstream or is introduced via a cut, scrape, or other open wound, the bacteria will produce something known as necrotizing fasciitis, where the tissue surrounding the infected area literally begins to die. It’s vicious. Per the CDC, one in five individuals who become infected do not make it. Some succumb within one or two days of being exposed. Others require surgeries or amputations in order to keep the infection from further spreading. Yeah, it’s that serious.
So where exactly does this stuff live? Vibrio vulnificus thrives in saltwater and brackish water, places where seawater mixes with fresh water, like where rivers meet the ocean. If you’ve got a cut and you’re swimming in those waters, you’re playing with fire. In Florida, hurricanes make things worse. When big storms flood inland areas with seawater, the bacteria spreads fast. Just consider what followed after Hurricane Ian in 2022. Florida had 74 cases and 17 fatalities. Last year, things were worse, with 82 infections and 19 fatalities, attributed to hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Here’s yet another way individuals are falling ill: consuming tainted seafood, particularly raw oysters. Vibrio vulnificus can reside inside shellfish, and if not properly cooked, can wind up in your system. You wouldn’t even know it on the surface either, these oysters could appear completely normal. That’s why this bacteria is such a covert threat.
So how do you safeguard yourself without swearing off the beach or seafood for good? It’s all about being intelligent. If you have any open sores or new cuts, don’t swim in saltwater or brackish water. Not even at all. If you do find yourself in the water and cut yourself, leave the water immediately. If you’re preparing seafood, wash your hands and anything else it comes into contact with. And if you do eat shellfish, particularly oysters, cook them through.
If you develop symptoms such as stomach pain, fever, nausea, or diarrhea within a short while of consuming seafood, or worse, if a wound becomes swollen, reddening, or breaks down, get to a physician immediately. Vibrio vulnificus is fast-acting, and even a day or two makes a huge difference. The Florida Department of Health states that should the infection reach your bloodstream, your chance of survival falls to 50%.
Don’t worry, but don’t dismiss it. Climate change is allowing this bacteria to thrive in areas where it didn’t previously, and Florida is experiencing more cases annually. Knowledge is power, and might just be what saves your summer, and possibly your life.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
