• Florida health officials have issued a public advisory after four residents died from Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but deadly bacterium linked to warm coastal waters. With 11 deaths reported nationwide in 2025, authorities warn those with compromised immune systems to avoid brackish water and protect open wounds while at the beach.

TALLAHASSEE, FL (TDR) — A rare but dangerous bacterium has claimed four lives in Florida, prompting renewed warnings from health officials as summer recreation peaks across the state’s beaches and bays. The bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus, has sickened at least seven others this year, bringing 2025’s national death toll to 11, according to CBS News.

The deceased hailed from Bay, Broward, Hillsborough, and St. Johns counties — all coastal regions where warm, brackish waters are common.

What Is Vibrio Vulnificus?

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Vibrio vulnificus is one of several species of Vibrio bacteria that occur naturally in brackish seawater — a mixture of salt and freshwater found along estuaries and the Gulf Coast. Though rare, infection can be severe.

“Water and wounds do not mix,” the Florida Department of Health warned. “Do not enter the water if you have fresh cuts or scrapes.”

Infections occur when the bacteria enter the body through an open wound or are ingested through raw or undercooked seafood, such as oysters. Those with weakened immune systems, especially individuals suffering from liver or kidney disease, face heightened risk.

Rapid Onset and Severe Consequences

Symptoms of infection appear quickly — often within 24 hours — and may include fever, rash, painful blisters, diarrhea, vomiting, or confusion. In some cases, the infection leads to necrotizing fasciitis, sepsis, or organ failure.

“About 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautions.

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Though Vibrio vulnificus does not literally consume flesh, it may cause complications that necessitate surgical removal of infected tissue or even limb amputation.

Florida’s Historical Risk

Florida has recorded 448 cases of Vibrio vulnificus since 2016, with 100 fatalities — a 22% fatality rate. As temperatures rise, health experts believe such infections may become more frequent, driven by climate conditions that favor bacterial growth.

The Cleveland Clinic urges beachgoers with weakened immune systems to wear protective footwear and avoid entering warm saltwater with fresh wounds.

As the state enters the heart of beach season, officials ask: Are vulnerable individuals taking the proper precautions in Florida’s increasingly hazardous coastal waters?

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