As Cases of Flesh-Eating Bacteria Rise in Florida, Experts Share How to Stay Safe This Summer

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Following a string of cases involving flesh-eating bacteria in Florida, many are left wondering how to protect themselves while swimming or enjoying summer vacations near the water.

So far this year, Florida health officials have reported 13 confirmed cases and four deaths linked to Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria often referred to as “flesh-eating” due to the severity of infections it can cause.

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However, Florida isn't the only place where the bacteria are found. Vibrio vulnificus naturally thrives in warm, salty or brackish water along the U.S. coast, according to Dr. Lyssette Cardona, an infectious disease expert at Cleveland Clinic Florida. People can become infected through open wounds that come into contact with contaminated water, by swallowing the water while swimming, or by consuming undercooked shellfish such as oysters, clams, or mussels.

“Infections are more frequent between May and October, when water temperatures are higher,” said Dr. Cardona in a press release. “Outbreaks are also more likely after hurricanes, heavy storms, or flooding events, which can increase contamination in local water sources.”

How to Reduce Your Risk

To stay safe, Cardona recommends taking several precautions, especially for those with weakened immune systems or chronic liver conditions. These include:

• Avoiding exposure to brackish or saltwater if you have open cuts or scrapes.

• Using waterproof bandages to cover any wounds before swimming.

• Avoiding swallowing seawater.

• Showering thoroughly after swimming.

• Heeding public health advisories about water contamination in your area.

• Cooking shellfish thoroughly before eating.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of Vibrio infection can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. More serious infections—especially bloodstream infections—may lead to dangerously low blood pressure, skin blistering, and severe illness.

Wound infections may cause swelling, redness, warmth, pain, and pus at the site of the injury, and can spread quickly if not treated. The CDC urges anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.

Nationwide, the CDC estimates about 80,000 cases of vibriosis occur each year in the U.S., and around 20% of those infected die from the illness.