Colleen Michele Jones and C. A. Bridges, Daytona Beach News-Journal

Health officials are warning the public about a dangerous increase in flesh-eating bacterial infections confirmed in Florida, including one case each in Flagler and Volusia counties.

According to the Florida Department of Health, 25 cases of vibrio vulnificus have been reported so far this year, as of Thursday, Sept. 4. Of those, the Health Department said five resulted in death. The five deaths were reported in Bay (two cases), Broward, Hillsborough and St. Johns counties. The FDOH does not specify the sources or dates of cases.

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterial infection that thrives in warm and brackish seawater. In Florida, that usually means coastal areas within the peak period of April to November when surface water temperatures are highest, according to a study by Florida Atlantic University.

People can contract it by eating raw or undercooked seafood (especially raw oysters) or by exposing open cuts or wounds to the water. If infected by water, bacteria can cause the skin and soft tissue around a wound to rapidly break down. Treatment may require limb amputation to stop the rapid flesh deterioration and the infection can be fatal.

Between 2014 and 2024, Florida averaged about 48 cases and 11 deaths per year, according to FDOH data. Florida saw a record 82 vibrio vulnificus cases and 19 deaths in 2024, most of them after October when large areas of the state were flooded by back-to-back Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Nationwide, vibriosis from vibrio vulnificus and other vibrio bacteria causes an estimated 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacteria in warm, brackish seawater.

Vibrio vulnificus is often called "flesh-eating" because infections can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection that destroys muscle and skin tissue. Without treatment, death can occur in just a few days, according to the FDOH.

Symptoms of a vibrio vulnificus infection begin suddenly and quickly, usually less than 24 hours after exposure, according to the CDC. Common symptoms include fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, stomach cramping and nausea, vomiting, blistering skin lesions, and redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and discharge near open areas of the skin.

If you experience these symptoms after eating raw seafood or being exposed to floodwaters, seek medical attention immediately.

Health care professionals can usually treat the infection with antibiotics, but in extreme cases, arms and legs may need to be amputated to remove dead or infected tissue.

Yes, and it's important to keep that in perspective.

According to the FAU study: "Fear of vibrio vulnificus should not keep you out of the local waters this summer; it's always been here, only a small percent of the population is considered 'at risk."

That includes individuals with compromised immune systems, liver disease, or open wounds, according to the FDOH. People with fresh cuts or scrapes are encouraged to either stay out of the water or wear protective footwear.