Fifth ‘Flesh-Eating Bacteria’ Death Of The Year Reported In FL, Data Shows

A fifth person has died from the rare so-called "flesh-eating bacteria," Vibrio vulnificus, in FL this year, health officials said.

By Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff

Sep 29, 2026 11:20 AM EDT

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — A fifth person has died this year in Florida from the rare so-called "flesh-eating bacteria," health officials said.

A person in Pinellas County died from a Vibrio vulnificus infection, according to data from the Florida Department of Health.

Just one case has been reported this year in Pinellas, according to the state's Reportable Diseases Frequency Report, which was last updated Sept. 19.

That person was between 50 and 54 years old, the report said.

No additional details about the fatal flesh-eating bacteria case in Pinellas have been made available.

As of Sept. 19, 23 Vibrio cases have been reported in Florida in 2026, including five deaths, data shows.

Three cases were recorded in Santa Rosa county. There have been two cases each in Bay, Broward, Lee, Marion, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Polk counties.

There has been one case each in Brevard, Duval, Hillsborough, Okaloosa, Pinellas and St. Johns counties.

In addition to the recent fatal case in Pinellas, "flesh-eating bacteria" deaths have also been recorded in Bay, Broward, Marion and Palm Beach counties.

In 2025, Florida said 33 cases and 5 deaths, and 82 cases and 19 deaths in 2024.

The Vibrio bacteria occurs naturally in coastal waters, and is found more frequently between May and October, when waters are warmer, experts said.

The infections are commonly associated with eating raw or undercooked oysters and other seafood, but also occur when people with open wounds or cuts come in contact with seawater or brackish water where the bacteria are present, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some Vibrio infections lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies, inspiring the "flesh-eating bacteria" moniker, the CDC said.

The bacteria is also known for causing a human illness called vibriosis. People at greatest risk for illness from the infection are the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, particularly those with chronic liver disease, Florida health officials said.

About one in five people with the infection die, the CDC said.

Signs and symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus infection can include:

Watery diarrhea, often accompanied by stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
For bloodstream infection: fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions.
For wound infection, which may spread to the rest of the body: fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and discharge (leaking fluids).

The CDC suggests following these precautions:

Don't eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish.
If you have a wound (including from a recent surgery, piercing, or tattoo), stay out of saltwater or brackish water, if possible. This includes wading at the beach.
Cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if it could come into contact with salt water, brackish water, marine life, or raw or undercooked seafood and its juices. This contact can happen during everyday activities, such as swimming, fishing, or walking on the beach.
Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water after they have contact with salt water, brackish water, marine life, raw seafood, or its juices.

In addition to occurring naturally in warm coastal waters, Vibrio vulnificus infections have also been associated with hurricanes, storm surges and coastal flooding.