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Marion County resident dies after contracting Vibrio , FDOH says
wesh.com • • health
Key Points:
- A Marion County resident has died from Vibrio vulnificus, a dangerous bacterium found in warm coastal and brackish waters, marking Florida's second death from the infection in 2026.
- The Florida Department of Health has confirmed 14 cases of Vibrio vulnificus this year but has not disclosed details about the recent fatality or how the infection was contracted.
- Vibrio vulnificus infections can occur through eating raw or undercooked shellfish or when open wounds are exposed to contaminated water, with symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal issues to severe bloodstream infections that can be fatal.
- About 20% of people infected with Vibrio vulnificus die, with higher risks for those with weakened immune systems or chronic liver and kidney diseases; health officials advise avoiding raw shellfish and protecting wounds from exposure to coastal waters.
- Florida saw 33 cases and five deaths in 2025, and 82 cases with 19 deaths in 2024, including a spike in Gulf Coast counties after Hurricane Helene.
