Florida Has Reported 25 Flesh Eating Virus Cases in 2023

Public Health officials are warning of the presence of a flesh-eating bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus, which exists naturally in warm coastal waters. There have been 25 reported cases in Florida reported so far this year, five of which have led to deaths.

In 2022, Flordia reported a record 74 cases of flesh-eating bacteria infections, 17 of which resulted in death. Such bacteria thrive in floodwaters and Hurricane Ian presented plenty of opportunity for them to flourish last year. Lee and Collier counties, which were hit hardest hit by the category 4 hurricane, unsurprisingly had the highest numbers of cases in 2022.

While this year hasn't yet seen a hurricane make landfall, record surface and water temperatures have presented ideal conditions. So far this year, Escambia and Hillsborough counties have seen the most cases with four each, according to FDOH data.

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

According to the CDC, when ingested, Vibrio bacteria can cause watery diarrhea, often accompanied by abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. These symptoms usually occur within 24 hours of ingestion and last about 3 days. Severe illness is rare and typically occurs in people with a weakened immune system. Vibrio bacteria can also cause a skin infection when an open wound is exposed to salt water or brackish water. Brackish water is a mixture of fresh and salt water. It is often found where rivers meet the sea.

The CDC recommends the following prevention measures:

• Don’t eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. Cook them before eating.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw shellfish.
• Avoid contaminating cooked shellfish with raw shellfish and its juices.
• Stay out of salt water or brackish water if you have a wound (including from a recent surgery, piercing, or tattoo), or cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if there’s a possibility it could come into contact with salt water or brackish water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices. Brackish water is a mixture of fresh and salt water. It is often found where rivers meet the sea.
• Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water if they have been exposed to seawater or raw seafood or its juices.
• If you develop a skin infection, tell your medical provider if your skin has come into contact with salt water or brackish water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices.