United States reports ten deaths from flesh-eating bacteria

Deaths caused by the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, colloquially known as the ‘flesh-eating bacteria’, have risen to ten in the United States this year. Health departments in Louisiana and Florida have reported the majority of these fatalities, with Louisiana confirming six deaths and Florida reporting four.

In Louisiana, there have been 15 recorded cases, a figure that exceeds the state's annual average from the last decade. Most infections occurred after open wounds were exposed to seawater. Florida has reported 20 cases and four deaths across Palm Beach, Marion, Bay, and Broward counties. Other reported cases include three instances in Mississippi and one death in Alabama.

Health authorities warn that the risk increases between May and October when water temperatures are higher. Infection typically occurs through contact between open wounds and warm, brackish seawater or by consuming raw or undercooked seafood, particularly oysters. Experts note that approximately one in five people infected with Vibrio vulnificus die, sometimes within only one or two days of falling ill.