Florida health officials confirmed a fifth death on Thursday from Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium commonly associated with consuming raw or undercooked oysters. The latest fatality involved a Broward County resident aged 75 to 79, according to the Florida Department of Health’s updated count.
The individual’s infection was included in the state’s latest tally, which now records 21 Vibrio vulnificus cases in 2026. Previous fatalities this year were reported in Bay, Palm Beach, and Marion counties, with the fifth death marking the highest annual toll in recent years. The department did not specify how the individual contracted the bacteria.
How the bacteria spreads
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium found in warm, brackish seawater. Exposure typically occurs through two primary routes: eating contaminated raw or undercooked shellfish—particularly oysters—or entering contaminated water with an open wound. Health officials note that bloodstream infections from the bacteria are fatal in approximately 50% of cases, though healthy individuals may experience only mild illness.
The Florida Department of Health emphasized that most vibriosis cases result from consuming raw or undercooked oysters, stating: “Most people get vibriosis by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters.”
Trends and historical context
Florida has seen unusually high Vibrio vulnificus cases and deaths in recent years, with 19 deaths and 82 cases in 2024 and 17 deaths and 74 cases in 2022. Health experts attribute some of the increase to severe weather events, such as hurricanes, which can stir up coastal waters and expose individuals to contaminated environments. Officials have previously linked spikes in cases to standing or floodwaters following storms like Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Ian.
Public health warnings
The Florida Department of Health continues to urge residents and visitors to avoid consuming raw or undercooked oysters and to cover open wounds when swimming in coastal waters. While the bacteria is naturally occurring, health officials stress that proper food handling and wound protection significantly reduce infection risks.
The state’s latest data reflects a growing public health concern, with health departments monitoring cases closely as the summer season progresses.