4 people in Florida have died from a flesh-eating bacteria in 2025, including a St. Johns County resident

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health said four people have died from flesh-eating bacteria in 2025, including a St. Johns County resident.

The department said 11 people have contracted the bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus.

The three other deaths happened in Bay, Broward, and Hillsborough.

One of the 11 cases is in Duval County, but that person has not died. In 2023, there were two cases in Duval and one person died. In 2024, there were four cases and two died.

In 2025, there were two cases in St. Johns County, and one person died.

According to FDOH, Vibrio Vulnificus is a bacterium that normally lives in warm seawater and is part of a group of vibrios that are called “halophilic” because they require salt.

How do people get infected with Vibrio vulnificus?

Officials said people can get infected when they eat raw shellfish, particularly oysters. The bacterium is frequently isolated from oysters and other shellfish in warm coastal water during the summer months.

It is naturally found in warm marine waters, people with open wounds can be exposed to it through direct contact with seawater. There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of Vibrio vulnificus.

What type of illness does Vibrio vulnificus cause?

Ingestion of Vibrio vulnificus can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. It can also cause an infection of the skin when open wounds are exposed to warm seawater.

How common is Vibrio vulnificus infection?

It’s rare, but also underreported. Between 1988 and 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received reports of more than 900 infections from the Gulf Coast states where most cases occur.

Before 2007, there was no national surveillance system, but the CDC worked with Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi to monitor the cases in the Gulf Coast region.

What are the tips for preventing Vibrio vulnificus infections?

• Don’t eat raw oysters or raw shellfish

• Cook shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) throughly

• For shellfish in the shell, either a) boil until the shells open and continue boiling for 5 more minutes, or b) steam until the shells open and then continue cooking for 9 more minutes. Do not eat those shellfish that do not open during cooking. Boil shucked oysters at least 3 minutes, or fry them in oil at least 10 minutes at 375°F.

• Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw seafood and juices from raw seafood.

• Eat shellfish promptly after cooking and refrigerate leftovers.

• Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, or to raw shellfish harvested from such waters.

• Wear protective clothing (e.g., gloves) when handling raw shellfish.

How is Vibro vulnificus infection treated?

If an infection is suspected, treatment should be initiated immediately because antibiotics improve survival. For patients with wound infections, amputation of the infected limb may be necessary.

Click here for more information about the care and treatment specifics.