Eighth Fatal Vibrio Infection Reported in Florida as Gulf Coast Cases Near 30
Florida health officials confirmed an eighth fatal Vibrio vulnificus infection in Bay County, raising the Gulf Coast death count to eight and total cases to nearly 30 this year, Yahoo reported. The bacterium, which thrives in warm coastal waters, is associated with seawater exposure and raw shellfish consumption, the report said. Earlier, the Florida Department of Health had recorded a third death from the bacteria in 2026, WPEC reported. State health agencies in Florida and Louisiana previously confirmed 25 infections and seven deaths this year, abcnews. com reported.
Officials warned that Vibrio vulnificus can cause severe wound and foodborne infections, especially for people with weakened immune systems, LiveNOW from FOX reported. Genevieve Gallagher, who lost part of her leg after contracting the infection while swimming with a cut, urged others not to enter water with open wounds, Yahoo reported. A 38-year-old fisherman from Port St. Joe was scheduled for a below-knee amputation after the infection caused severe swelling and multiple surgeries, the New York Post reported. Ben West, who contracted the bacteria during a fishing trip, will undergo amputation after a year of chronic pain and swelling that enlarged his leg, Yahoo reported.
