St. Johns County, Florida – Flesh-Eating Bacteria Cases Reported

The Florida Department of Health has reported that four individuals have died due to flesh-eating bacteria in 2025, with one of the fatalities being a resident of St. Johns County.

Additionally, 11 cases of Vibrio vulnificus have been identified. Other deaths associated with this bacterium were in Bay, Broward, and Hillsborough counties.

Interestingly, there’s one case in Duval County where the individual hasn’t succumbed to the illness. This area has seen a bit of a pattern over the years; in 2023, there were two cases, and one person died. The following year recorded four cases, leading to two fatalities.

So far in 2025, St. Johns County has seen two cases with one resulting in death.

According to health officials, Vibrio vulnificus thrives in warm seawater and is categorized as a “halophilic” bacterium, which means it requires salt for its survival.

How Can One Get Infected with Vibrio vulnificus?

Health officials indicate that infections can occur from consuming raw shellfish, particularly oysters, which are often linked with this bacterium during the warmer summer months. People can also be exposed through open wounds if they come into contact with seawater. It’s worth noting there’s no evidence suggesting that Vibrio vulnificus spreads from person to person.

What Illness Does It Cause?

Consuming Vibrio vulnificus can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Moreover, if skin is exposed through open wounds to warm seawater, it can result in severe skin infections.

How Common Is This Infection?

Although infections are rare, they often go underreported. Between 1988 and 2006, the CDC documented over 900 cases primarily from Gulf Coast states. Prior to 2007, there wasn’t a national system to monitor these infections, but the CDC collaborated with several states to keep track of occurrences in that region.

Prevention Tips for Vibrio vulnificus Infections

• Avoid eating raw oysters or raw shellfish.
• Ensure that shellfish (like oysters, clams, and mussels) are cooked thoroughly.
• If cooking shellfish in their shells, either boil until the shells open and continue boiling for an additional five minutes, or steam them until they open and then cook for nine more minutes. Discard any that do not open during cooking. For shucked oysters, boil them for at least three minutes or fry them for about ten minutes at 375°F.
• Prevent cross-contamination between cooked and raw seafood.
• Eat cooked shellfish promptly and properly refrigerate any leftovers.
• Keep open wounds or broken skin away from warm saltwater and raw shellfish collected from such waters.
• Consider wearing gloves when handling raw shellfish.

Treatment for Vibrio vulnificus Infection

If infection is suspected, immediate treatment is crucial, as antibiotics can significantly enhance chances of survival. In cases involving wound infections, amputation may sometimes be necessary.

For further information on care and treatment specifics, additional resources are available.