First Vibrio vulnificus death of 2026 reported in Palm Beach County
The Florida health department reported the first death from Vibrio vulnificus, in Palm Beach County.
Five people have died in Louisiana from flesh-eating bacteria infections so far in 2026, state health officials said on August 6.
A total of nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus bacteria have been reported in 2026 in the state, the Louisiana Department of Health reported. All nine patients had underlying health conditions and were hospitalized after wounds had been exposed to seawater, officials said.
Vibrio vulnificus is often called “flesh-eating bacteria” because an infection can eat away at flesh around a wound. Infections can occur when an open wound is exposed to salt water or brackish water, where rivers meet the ocean and fresh water mixes with salt water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Louisiana health officials warned residents to take precautions to prevent infections because the bacterium’s presence increases as coastal waters get warmer. Cases in Louisiana are higher than in past years, officials said. During the same period over the previous 10 years, Louisiana reported an annual average of seven cases and one death.
Florida recently reported its second Vibrio vulnificus infection death of the year.
What is vibrio vulnificus, or ‘flesh-eating bacteria’?
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that can cause a vibriosis infection, which in some cases can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a fast-spreading bacterial infection of the tissue under the skin that appears to eat away at the body.
The potentially fatal infection can quickly result in tissue damage and spreading blisters, low blood pressure, fever, organ damage, sepsis and potentially death.
Many people with vibriosis can get seriously ill and need intensive care or limb amputation. About 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill, the CDC says.
The bacteria are found in certain coastal waters and in higher concentration from May to October, when water temperatures are warmer, health officials say.
Cases may also increase after tropical storms and hurricanes, as storm surge pushes seawater into freshwater environments. Infections can also happen from eating raw or undercooked seafood, particularly oysters, the CDC says.
Different types of vibrio bacteria cause different infections, with vibrio vulnificus causing the “most serious forms of vibriosis,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. Another type of vibrio bacteria causes cholera, health officials say.
In Alabama, the Mobile County Health Department has reported 10 cases of vibriosis this year. The Mississippi Department of Health reported two cases in 2026.
Beyond the Gulf Coast, other states that have reported evidence of Vibrio vulnificus in the past include Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and North Carolina.
Symptoms of vibrio vulnificus infection
Symptoms of a vibriosis can begin quickly, usually less than 24 hours after exposure, according to the CDC, the Cleveland Clinic and Louisiana Department of Health.
Common symptoms include:
- Fever and chills
- A red, warm or swollen patch of skin or rash that spreads quickly and causes pain
- Fluid-filled blisters and skin discoloration
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Low blood pressure (often indicated by weakness, dizziness, fatigue and fainting)
- Confusion or altered mental state
- Rapid heartbeat
How to protect yourself from ‘flesh-eating bacteria’
When swimming, you should:
- Avoid entering salt water or brackish water if you have any open wounds. That includes recent surgical sites, fresh tattoos and piercings, and even minor cuts or scrapes.
- Cover any open wounds with a waterproof bandage if you may come into contact with coastal waters or raw seafood, even if you don’t plan to be directly exposed to either. Exposure can also occur during flooding caused by storms.
- Immediately wash any area of open skin with soap and running water after contact with coastal water or raw seafood.
- If you are at increased risk (people with weakened immune systems and conditions like liver disease, diabetes and kidney failure), wear protective shoes and clothes when in or near coastal waters.
When consuming seafood, the CDC advises:
- Cook seafood, including oysters, before consuming.
- Thoroughly clean surfaces that may have come in contact with raw seafood and its drippings.
- Thoroughly wash your hands after handling raw seafood. If you are at high risk, wear gloves.
Contributing: C.A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida and Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.