Authorities in Florida this week confirmed another death from a rare type of “flesh-eating” bacteria found in warm coastal waters.
In 2026, four deaths were linked to the Vibrio vulnificus bacterium, according to an update from the Florida Department of Health on Sept. 17. The agency said that 22 cases have been confirmed so far.
There were five deaths and 33 overall cases in 2025, and 19 deaths and 82 cases were reported in 2024 in the state, the data show.
As of Sept. 16, 17 cases and six deaths from Vibrio vulnificus have been reported across Louisiana, the state’s Department of Health said.
Last month, the Mississippi Department of Health issued an advisory about Vibrio bacteria, saying visitors should “be on guard to protect themselves from Vibrio bacteria,” and noted that three Vibrio vulnificus cases had been reported as of Aug. 10….