Woman Who Lost ‘A Lot Of My Leg’ To Flesh-Eating Bacteria Warns Women About Common Pre-Swim Habit

Key Points:

• In 2025, Florida reported 33 Vibrio bacterial infection cases and five deaths, with the bacteria primarily found in warm coastal waters; Vibrio can cause severe necrotizing fasciitis, known as "flesh-eating" bacteria.
• Genevieve Gallagher, a Pensacola mother, nearly died after a small cut became infected during a boating trip, leading to sepsis, multiple surgeries, and partial leg amputation; she warns against entering water with open wounds or fresh cuts.
• As of August 2026, there have been at least eight deaths and nearly 30 infections from Vibrio across Gulf Coast states, including Florida and Louisiana, with vulnerable individuals advised to take precautions such as wearing foot protection.
• Health officials emphasize that Vibrio infections can cause severe symptoms like fever, low blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions, and advise avoiding water exposure with open wounds, especially during warmer months.
• Researchers are developing technology using NASA satellite data to track and predict Vibrio pathogen movement in coastal waters, aiming to help the public avoid high-risk areas and reduce infections.