First flesh-eating bacteria death of 2026 recorded in this state

Key Points:

• Florida has reported its first death of the year from Vibrio vulnificus, a "flesh-eating" bacterium that causes severe infections, with 12 cases recorded so far this season and one death in Palm Beach County.
• Vibrio vulnificus infections, often linked to raw seafood consumption or contact with warm, brackish coastal water, can rapidly cause tissue damage, sepsis, and death, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.
• The bacterium thrives in saltwater environments and typically infects people through open wounds or by eating undercooked shellfish, with symptoms appearing within 24 hours, including fever, skin lesions, and low blood pressure.
• The CDC recommends cooking seafood thoroughly, avoiding coastal water exposure with open wounds, and practicing good hygiene to reduce infection risk, particularly for high-risk individuals with underlying health conditions.
• While infections are rare, Florida and other Gulf Coast states see higher cases after severe weather events like hurricanes, which increase exposure to contaminated water.