BROWARD COUNTY — It remains unclear exactly how the person contracted the infection. Previous deaths were attributed to residents of Bay, Palm Beach, and Marion counties. Florida has reported 21 cases of Vibrio vulnificus in 2026.

Florida recorded 82 cases and 19 deaths from Vibrio vulnificus in 2024. The state recorded 74 cases and 17 deaths from Vibrio vulnificus in 2022. Health officials stated that an unusual increase in cases in some counties stemmed from impacts from hurricanes Helene and Ian.

"Most people get vibriosis by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters," the Florida Department of Health said. "A recent study showed that people with these pre-existing medical conditions were 80 times more likely to develop Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections than healthy people," Florida health officials said.

Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium found in warm, brackish seawater. Exposure to Vibrio vulnificus can occur when a person eats contaminated oysters or enters contaminated water with an open wound. Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal about 50% of the time.

Severe Vibrio vulnificus infections can cause symptoms including fever, chills, septic shock, and blistering skin lesions. In some cases, wound infections from Vibrio vulnificus can lead to tissue damage requiring amputation. Louisiana reported 15 cases and six deaths from Vibrio vulnificus as of Sept. 9.

Fourteen of the Louisiana cases were attributed to wound or seawater exposure. Texas typically sees an average of 33 Vibrio vulnificus cases per year. Mississippi reported three Vibrio vulnificus cases as of August.

Why It Matters

Vibrio vulnificus infections in the Eastern United States increased eightfold from 1988 to 2018. The bacterium poses a risk to individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, who are far more likely to develop severe bloodstream infections. The fatality rate for these infections remains high, with approximately half of all cases resulting in death.

The recent spike in Florida cases has been linked by officials to environmental disruptions caused by major hurricanes. These weather events can alter coastal ecosystems and increase human exposure to contaminated waters and shellfish. The geographic spread of cases across multiple counties shows the widespread nature of the threat within the state.

Timeline

In 2022, Florida recorded 74 cases and 17 deaths from Vibrio vulnificus. In 2024, the state recorded 82 cases and 19 deaths from the bacteria. In 2025, Florida had 33 cases and five deaths from Vibrio vulnificus.

As of Sept. 9, Louisiana reported 15 cases and six deaths from Vibrio vulnificus.

What's New

A person in Broward County, Florida, aged 75 to 79, was directly affected by Vibrio vulnificus and died from the infection, according to the Florida Department of Health. The Florida Department of Health stated that ingestion of Vibrio vulnificus can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

The agency also noted that Vibrio vulnificus can cause an infection of the skin when open wounds are exposed to warm seawater, leading to skin breakdown and ulcers.

Data showed Florida recorded two cases in Broward County and two cases in Miami-Dade County this year.

How Sources Differ

The Florida Department of Health historical data stated that Florida recorded 74 cases and 17 deaths from Vibrio vulnificus in 2022.