- Florida has already recorded four deaths this year from Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium, following a record number of cases in 2023.
- Last year saw 19 deaths and 82 cases, a significant increase attributed to late-season hurricanes Milton and Helene, which caused saltwater to move inland.
- Vibrio vulnificus infections, though rare, can be fatal, especially for those with weakened immune systems, and can lead to severe outcomes like amputation.
- The bacterium naturally occurs in brackish seawater and spreads through open cuts or by consuming raw shellfish, particularly oysters.
- Experts warn that climate change exacerbates these risks, and recent research indicates Vibrio pathogens are adapting to stick to microplastics and sargassum blooms.
IN FULL