A third person in Florida has died from a rare type of “flesh-eating” bacteria that is found in Gulf waters, bringing the total to eight confirmed U.S. deaths so far in 2026, officials said.
An update posted to the Florida Department of Health’s website shows that a third person died from Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium that is found in warm ocean or brackish water, which is when seawater mixes with fresh water. It’s also found in raw shellfish, particularly oysters.
Seventeen cases of the bacterial infection have been reported so far in Florida this year, according to the health department in an update posted on Wednesday. The second Vibrio vulnificus-related death in the state was reported earlier in August….