Florida Reports 5 Deaths Linked to Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Tourists and locals play in the surf and sand in Clearwater Beach, Fla., on July 2, 2023. Nanette Holt/The Epoch Times

At least five people have died in Florida since the beginning of the year due to a flesh-eating bacteria—called Vibrio vulnificus—which can be found in brackish water and raw seafood like oysters.

The death cases were reported in Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, and Sarasota counties, according to data released by Florida Health. There have been 26 confirmed cases in Florida since January.

According to Florida Health, Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that naturally lives in brackish water—a mixture of freshwater and saltwater. Eating raw shellfish, particularly oysters, can also cause infection.

Meanwhile, three deaths have been reported in New York and Connecticut, prompting the New York State Department of Health to issue guidance on how people can take appropriate precautions.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the bacterial infection was detected in a recently deceased individual from Suffolk County and warned that contracting it could be “extraordinarily dangerous.”

“As we investigate further, it is critical that all New Yorkers stay vigilant and take responsible precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, including protecting open wounds from seawater and for those with compromised immune systems, avoiding raw or undercooked shellfish which may carry the bacteria,” she said, according to an Aug. 16 press release.

Similarly, New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald advised people to refrain from swimming in warm seawater if they have wounds.

“We are reminding providers to be on the lookout for cases of vibriosis, which is not often the first diagnosis that comes to mind,” Dr. McDonald said in the press release.

Those with liver disease, cancer, or a weakened immune system, as well as those taking medicine to decrease stomach acid levels, have an increased risk of being infected or developing complications when infected.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vibriosis causes symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, and chills. In extreme cases, it causes ear infections, sepsis, and life-threatening infections. The agency estimates that vibriosis causes 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths in the United States annually.

Dr. McDonald urges medical practitioners to be on high alert when patients come in with suspicious infections or sepsis with unknown origins. Overlooking the possibility of vibriosis could be a matter of life and death.

New York health officials can’t say for sure if infections were encountered in the region or elsewhere and brought back to the area.

“While we continue to investigate the source of this rare infection, it is important for residents to remain aware and vigilant of precautions that can be taken,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said in the press release.

“As always, if any residents have health concerns, we encourage them to contact their health care provider,” Mr. Bellone added.

Mary Gillis contributed to this report.