Florida DOH publishes first Vibrio vulnificus update of 2025
The Florida Department of Health published Friday the first update on Vibrio vulnificus cases and deaths in the state of 2025.
Through July 11, eleven V. vulnificus cases have been reported from ten counties- Bay, Broward, Duval, Escambia, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, St. Johns (2), Santa Rosa and Walton.
Four fatalities have been reported to date- one each in Bay, Broward, Hillsborough and St. Johns counties.
In 2024, Florida saw 82 cases and 19 deaths. This increases were attributed to the effects of Hurricane Helene.
Vibrio vulnificus can cause disease in those who eat contaminated seafood or have an open wound that is exposed to warm seawater containing the bacteria. Ingestion of Vibrio vulnificus can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Vibrio vulnificus can also cause an infection of the skin when open wounds are exposed to warm seawater; these infections may lead to skin breakdown and ulcers.
Healthy individuals typically develop a mild disease; however, Vibrio vulnificus infections can be a serious concern for people who have weakened immune systems, particularly those with chronic liver disease.
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The bacterium can invade the bloodstream, causing a severe and life-threatening illness with symptoms like fever, chills, decreased blood pressure (septic shock) and blistering skin lesions. Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal about 50 percent of the time. A recent study showed that people with these pre-existing medical conditions were 80 times more likely to develop Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections than healthy people.
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