A dangerous flesh-eating bacteria has killed four people in Florida, according to the state health department. The bacteria, called Vibrio vulnificus, lives in warm seawater and can slip into the body through open cuts, even small ones.
“It’s not just a beach problem,” experts warn. Even eating raw oysters or other shellfish can lead to infection. Once inside the body, this bacteria can cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and extreme skin infections. The skin around a wound can become swollen, hot, red, and filled with pus. The infection can destroy tissue, a condition known as necrotizing fasciitis.
“If the infection gets into your bloodstream, there’s almost a 50% chance you won’t make it,” health officials have said.
So far in 2025, 11 people in Florida have gotten sick from Vibrio vulnificus. Four of them died. Last year, 19 people died from it, Fox News reported.
People with weakened immune systems are most at risk. Healthy people usually recover, but the infection can turn deadly fast if not treated.
Doctors urge people to stay out of warm coastal waters if they have cuts, and to be cautious when eating raw shellfish. This bacteria is rare — but deadly.
