TAMPA, Fla. ( WFLA ) – Florida health officials noted that six Tampa Bay-area counties saw an “unusual increase” in cases of Vibrio vulnificus this year, attributed to floodwaters from back-to-back hurricanes.
Vibrio vulnificus is a so-called “flesh-eating bacteria” that lives in warm seawater. Infection, which is rare, occurs when cuts and wounds come into direct contact with seawater or when someone eats raw shellfish, particularly oysters.
“In 2024, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties experience unusual increase due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene,” Florida Department of Health officials wrote.
Hurricanes’ potentially deadly legacy: Flesh-eating bacteria
As of Friday morning, Florida counties have seen a total of 74 cases this year, compared to 46 in 2023. Of those, there have been 13 deaths this year, compared with 11 last year…