A fifth person has died in Florida this year after contracting Vibrio vulnificus, the potentially deadly bacteria commonly associated with warm coastal waters.
The latest victim was between 50 and 54 years old and lived in Pinellas County, part of the Tampa Bay area.
Florida health officials have now recorded 23 cases and five deaths linked to Vibrio vulnificus in 2026, according to state data.
The Pinellas County death marks the county’s first reported case this year.
The bacteria naturally live in warm saltwater and brackish water and can infect people through open wounds, including cuts, scrapes and other breaks in the skin.
Infections can also occur after eating raw or undercooked seafood, particularly oysters.
Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare, but they can turn dangerous fast.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 150 to 200 infections are reported in the United States each year, with roughly one in five patients dying from the illness.
Severe infections can cause rapidly worsening swelling and skin damage, sometimes requiring intensive care or amputation.
The bacteria can also enter the bloodstream and trigger sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to infection.
Warning signs can include worsening redness, swelling and pain around a wound, fluid-filled blisters, fever and changes in mental status.
Florida’s five deaths this year have been reported in Bay, Broward, Marion, Palm Beach and Pinellas counties.
The state has recorded cases across multiple counties, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Lee, Polk, Santa Rosa and others.
Pinellas County previously saw a major spike in 2024, when state records show 15 cases and three deaths.
Florida reported 33 cases and five deaths in 2025. In 2024, the state recorded 82 cases and 19 deaths.
The bacteria tend to become more common during warmer months, when coastal waters heat up and conditions become more favorable for Vibrio growth.
That seasonal pattern has made Gulf Coast states particularly vulnerable, although cases have also been reported farther north along the East Coast.
Older adults and people with certain underlying health conditions face a greater risk of severe illness.
Health officials also warn that eating raw shellfish or exposing an open wound to coastal water can sharply increase the risk of infection.
Doctors may treat serious cases with antibiotics and surgery to remove infected tissue, while critically ill patients can require intravenous fluids, blood-pressure support and oxygen therapy.
Health agencies recommend avoiding saltwater and brackish water if you have an open wound, covering wounds with waterproof bandages and thoroughly washing any exposed cuts after contact with coastal water.
Officials also recommend cooking oysters and other shellfish thoroughly and wearing gloves when handling raw seafood.
While the illness remains uncommon, Florida’s fifth death this year is another reminder that exposure to warm coastal waters can carry serious risks for vulnerable people.
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