A small cut or scrape can be dangerous in Florida's warm waters, where rivers meet the sea. This environment, called brackish water, is a breeding ground for a dangerous germ. By mid-August 2026, this germ had caused three deaths in Florida. Health officials reported 17 cases of Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria that grows most in warm weather from May to October.
The deaths happened in different parts of the state. The first person, over 80 years old, died in Palm Beach County. Another death occurred in Marion County. Recently, a third person, aged 55-59, died in Bay County. In Broward County, the first infection of the season was reported in mid-August.
People call it "flesh-eating bacteria," but it doesn't eat flesh. It releases toxins that kill cells quickly. The infection starts when contaminated water touches an open wound. Symptoms include fever, chills, and dark, blistering skin. In severe cases, it can lead to a condition that destroys tissue so fast that doctors may need to remove limbs to save a life. About 20% of people with a serious Vibrio vulnificus infection do not survive.
The risk is higher for people with weak immune systems, such as those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, or HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks these infections and provides safety advice.
Eating raw oysters or shellfish can also lead to infection. Cooking shellfish thoroughly kills the bacteria. Boiling them for five minutes after they open or steaming them for nine extra minutes is recommended.
Florida is not the only state affected. The Gulf Coast region has the most infections. Neighboring Louisiana reported 12 infections and five deaths by mid-August. Florida's numbers are similar to last year. Scientists are concerned that warming oceans are allowing Vibrio vulnificus to spread to new areas further north each year.