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Flesh-eating bacteria cases rise to record level after hurricanes in Florida
The bacteria can infect a person with an open wound, such as a cut, and can cause the skin and soft tissue around the wound to quickly break down.
Liz Freeman
C. A. Bridges
Thao Nguyen
USA TODAY NETWORK...
Oct 22, 2024
NAPLES, Fla. − Florida has seen a surge of flesh-eating bacteria cases in recent weeks after parts of the state were inundated with heavy rain and flooding due to back-to-back hurricanes, according to state health department data.
There have been 74 cases of Vibrio vulnificus in 2024, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health, equaling the record set in 2022 when Hurricane Ian and other devastating storms hit the state. Of this year's cases, the data also shows that there have been 13 deaths statewide linked to Vibrio vulnificus infections.
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring but potentially fatal bacterial infection that thrives in warm floodwaters when hurricanes and tropical storms push a mix of fresh and saltwater upstream into canals and rivers. The water carries pollutants, sewage and debris.
The bacteria can infect a person with an open wound, such as a cut, and can cause the skin and soft tissue around the wound to quickly break down. Treatment may require limb amputation to stop the rapid flesh deterioration, and the infection can be fatal.
"While floodwaters are present, there is an increased risk of Vibrio infections, such as Vibrio vulnificus, which can be life-threatening," the state health department warned in a news release before Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, pushing a wall of water ashore and dumping rain across the state.
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Vibrio vulnificus
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.
Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare.
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacteria in warm, brackish seawater.
Water and wounds do not mix. Do not enter the water if you have fresh cuts or scrapes.
IMPORTANT: Individuals who are immunocompromised, e.g chronic liver disease, kidney disease, or weakened immune system, should wear proper foot protection to prevent cuts and injury caused by rocks and shells on the beach.
CONFIRMED CASES OF VIBRIO VULNIFICUS
Updated 4:54 p.m. ET, Tue Oct. 22, 2024
Cases in Florida since 2015:
Historical Data Cases Deaths
Updated 4:54 p.m. ET, Tue Oct. 22, 2024
* In 2022 Collier and Lee Counties experiences unusual increase due to the impacts of Hurricane Ian.
‡ In 2024 Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties experiences unusual increase due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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RESOURCES
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FLORIDA HEALTH MINUTE: VIBRIO VULNIFICUS
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Last Modified Date: Oct 22, 2024 4:57:12 PM
Last Reviewed Date: Oct 22, 2024 4:57:12 PM
The bacteria can infect a person with an open wound, such as a cut, and can cause the skin and soft tissue around the wound to quickly break down.
Liz Freeman
C. A. Bridges
Thao Nguyen
USA TODAY NETWORK...
Oct 22, 2024
NAPLES, Fla. − Florida has seen a surge of flesh-eating bacteria cases in recent weeks after parts of the state were inundated with heavy rain and flooding due to back-to-back hurricanes, according to state health department data.
There have been 74 cases of Vibrio vulnificus in 2024, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health, equaling the record set in 2022 when Hurricane Ian and other devastating storms hit the state. Of this year's cases, the data also shows that there have been 13 deaths statewide linked to Vibrio vulnificus infections.
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring but potentially fatal bacterial infection that thrives in warm floodwaters when hurricanes and tropical storms push a mix of fresh and saltwater upstream into canals and rivers. The water carries pollutants, sewage and debris.
The bacteria can infect a person with an open wound, such as a cut, and can cause the skin and soft tissue around the wound to quickly break down. Treatment may require limb amputation to stop the rapid flesh deterioration, and the infection can be fatal.
"While floodwaters are present, there is an increased risk of Vibrio infections, such as Vibrio vulnificus, which can be life-threatening," the state health department warned in a news release before Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, pushing a wall of water ashore and dumping rain across the state.
...
-------------------------------------------
Vibrio vulnificus
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.
Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare.
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacteria in warm, brackish seawater.
Water and wounds do not mix. Do not enter the water if you have fresh cuts or scrapes.
IMPORTANT: Individuals who are immunocompromised, e.g chronic liver disease, kidney disease, or weakened immune system, should wear proper foot protection to prevent cuts and injury caused by rocks and shells on the beach.
CONFIRMED CASES OF VIBRIO VULNIFICUS
| ~ | 2022 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 |
| County | Cases | Deaths | Cases | Deaths | Cases | Deaths |
| Alachua | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Bay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brevard | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Broward | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Charlotte | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Citrus | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Clay | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Collier | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Duval | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Escambia | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Gadsden | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hernando | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Highlands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hillsborough | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 2 |
| Lake | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lee | 28 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Leon | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Manatee | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Okaloosa | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Palm Beach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Pasco | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Pinellas | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
| Polk | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| St. Lucie | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Rosa | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Sarasota | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seminole | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Sumter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Volusia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Walton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Washington | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 74 | 17 | 46 | 11 | 74 | 13 |
Cases in Florida since 2015:
Historical Data Cases Deaths
| 2015 | 45 | 14 |
| 2016 | 46 | 10 |
| 2017 | 50 | 11 |
| 2018 | 42 | 9 |
| 2019 | 27 | 2 |
| 2020 | 36 | 7 |
| 2021 | 34 | 10 |
| 2022 | 74 | 17 |
| 2023 | 46 | 11 |
| 2024 | 74 | 13 |
* In 2022 Collier and Lee Counties experiences unusual increase due to the impacts of Hurricane Ian.
‡ In 2024 Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties experiences unusual increase due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
...
RESOURCES
...
FLORIDA HEALTH MINUTE: VIBRIO VULNIFICUS
...
Connect with DOH
Last Modified Date: Oct 22, 2024 4:57:12 PM
Last Reviewed Date: Oct 22, 2024 4:57:12 PM
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