Palm Beach County reports Florida’s first ‘flesh-eating bacteria’ death this year
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —
Health officials are warning Floridians about the dangers of Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but potentially deadly bacteria that naturally occurs in warm saltwater and brackish water.
Palm Beach County has recorded two cases this year, including Florida’s first reported vibrio vulnificus death of 2026, according to the Florida Department of Health. Eleven cases have been reported statewide this year.
The bacteria is sometimes referred to as “flesh-eating bacteria” because severe infections can cause tissue damage around an open wound.
Health officials say people can become infected by eating raw or undercooked oysters or when an open wound comes into contact with warm coastal or brackish water.
“Although we don’t see many cases here in the state of Florida, it can happen,” said Melissa Davidson, an infection prevention specialist at HCA JFK North Hospital in West Palm Beach.
Davidson said people with weakened immune systems, chronic kidney disease or chronic liver disease face a greater risk of developing a serious infection.
“So people that are immunocompromised, have chronic kidney disease, have chronic liver disease. Those people would be more at risk of potentially, if they have an open wound and get into that water, coming down with this bacterial infection,” Davidson said.
If the bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can cause a life-threatening illness. Symptoms can include fever, chills, septic shock and skin lesions.
Davidson said anyone who experiences gastrointestinal pain after eating raw shellfish, or redness and swelling around a wound after entering coastal water, should seek medical attention immediately.
“It’s very important to seek treatment as quickly as possible so that we can initiate the appropriate treatment for you, decrease potential complications and even decrease the risk of death,” Davidson said.
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