A fourth person has died in Florida this year after contracting Vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as a “flesh-eating’ bacteria, according to data from the Florida Department of Health.
The latest death involves a person in Broward County, according to the latest update from the health department.
No other details about the death were immediately available.
Three previous deaths were reported in Palm Beach, Bay and Marion counties this year.
A total of 21 cases have been confirmed in Florida this year, including two in Broward and two in Miami-Dade.
In 2025, Florida had 33 cases and five deaths, and in 2024 there were 82 cases and 19 deaths, though the department of health noted there was an unusual increase in some counties due to Hurricane Helene.
Vibrio bacteria naturally live in coastal waters, and some types can cause an illness called vibriosis.
Vibrio vulnificus lives in warm, brackish seawater as the bacteria requires salt to live, though health officials say infections are rare.
Most people get vibriosis from eating raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters. Some people get vibriosis after an open wound comes into contact with coastal waters, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Ingestion of Vibrio vulnificus can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Vibrio vulnificus can also cause an infection of the skin when open wounds are exposed to warm seawater; these infections may lead to skin breakdown and ulcers,” the Florida Department of Health’s website says.