TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As of August 7, 2025, the Florida Department of Health has confirmed 16 cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, resulting in five deaths. Three more deaths have yet to be officially disclosed, bringing the total to eight, the Miami Herald reported.
The bacterium, which thrives in warm, brackish seawater, continues to pose a rare but serious threat to residents and visitors, particularly those with open wounds or compromised immune systems.
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring, salt-requiring “halophilic” bacterium found in warm coastal waters. Infections typically occur through exposure of open wounds to contaminated water or by consuming undercooked seafood, such as raw oysters.
While rare, the infections can lead to severe symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, skin breakdown, ulcers, and in vulnerable individuals, bloodstream infections with a fatality rate of about 50%.
People with chronic liver disease, kidney disease, or weakened immune systems are at significantly higher risk—up to 80 times more likely to develop serious complications compared to healthy individuals.
Health officials emphasize prevention: Avoid entering water with fresh cuts or scrapes, as “water and wounds do not mix.” Immunocompromised individuals should wear proper foot protection to guard against injuries from rocks and shells on beaches.
Additionally, thoroughly cook shellfish—boil until shells open and continue for at least five more minutes—and avoid raw oysters or other undercooked seafood.
The 2025 cases are distributed across twelve counties throughout the Sunshine State.
| County | Cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Bay | 2 | 2 |
| Broward | 1 | 1 |
| Duval | 1 | 0 |
| Escambia | 2 | 0 |
| Flagler | 1 | 0 |
| Hillsborough | 1 | 1 |
| Lee | 1 | 0 |
| Manatee | 1 | 0 |
| Okaloosa | 1 | 0 |
| St. Johns | 2 | 1 |
| Santa Rosa | 2 | 0 |
| Walton | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 16 | 5 |
No unusual spikes have been reported for 2025, unlike previous years affected by hurricanes. For context, 2024 saw a record 82 cases and 19 deaths, partly due to Hurricane Helene’s impacts on counties like Pinellas and Hillsborough. In 2022, Hurricane Ian contributed to elevated cases in Collier and Lee counties.
Since national surveillance began in 2007, Florida has been a hotspot for Vibrio vulnificus, with over 900 cases reported from Gulf Coast states between 1988 and 2006. This year’s figures, while lower than recent peaks, underscore the need for vigilance as warm weather persists.
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