MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health (DOH)-Manatee County is reporting one confirmed case of vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria, in Manatee County this year.
Two deaths from the bacteria were reported in Manatee County, one in 2023 and one in 2024.
The DOH warns against entering the water if you have fresh cuts or scrapes, as vibrio vulnificus can cause an infection of the skin when open wounds are exposed to warm seawater; these infections may lead to skin breakdown and ulcers.
“The bacterium can invade the bloodstream, causing a severe and life-threatening illness with symptoms like fever, chills, decreased blood pressure (septic shock) and blistering skin lesions. Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal about 50% of the time,” according to DOH.
Individuals who are immunocompromised – for example, those with chronic liver disease, kidney disease or a weakened immune system – should wear proper foot protection to prevent cuts and injury caused by rocks and shells on the beach, according to DOH.
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.
Wound infections may be more serious in people with weakened immune systems. The wound may heal poorly and require surgery. Sometimes an amputation may be needed for recovery.
Between 1988 and 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received reports of more than 900 vibrio vulnificus infections from the Gulf coast states, where most cases occur.
People can also get infected with vibrio vulnificus when they eat raw shellfish, particularly oysters.
The DOH offers the following tips to prevent infection:
- Do not eat raw oysters or other raw shellfish. Cook shellfish thoroughly.
- For shellfish in the shell, either a) boil until the shells open and continue boiling for five 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 three 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 gloves when handling raw shellfish.
