Florida reports 12 Vibrio vulnificus infections and one death linked to seafood
State health officials confirmed 12 cases of Vibrio vulnificus infection this year, including a fatality in Palm Beach County, and urged precautions when handling raw shellfish or entering warm coastal waters.
Florida health officials said a 68-year-old man died in Palm Beach County after contracting Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium associated with raw or undercooked shellfish and warm brackish water. The state has documented 12 infections so far in 2024, a higher rate than the 33 cases recorded across the entire previous year.
The bacterium can cause severe skin and tissue infections that may spread rapidly to the bloodstream. Symptoms typically appear within 24 hours and include fever, chills, redness, swelling, blisters and confusion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 20% of those infected die.
Nationally, the CDC tracks 100 to 200 cases of vibriosis caused by this strain each year, with most occurrences in Gulf Coast states. Experts note that hurricanes and flooding can increase exposure by moving the bacteria into new areas.
Officials recommend cooking seafood thoroughly, washing hands after handling raw shellfish, and avoiding contact with coastal or brackish water when wounds or piercings are present. People with compromised immune systems, liver disease or diabetes are advised to take extra precautions, such as wearing protective footwear near water.