Vibrio vulnificus infections rise as summer heat threatens coastal waters

Health officials in the United States and Romania are warning that the warm summer season could increase infections from Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium that thrives in warm, brackish coastal waters. Five cases have been confirmed this year in Florida, with the first reported in March and additional cases spread across five counties. The state recorded 33 cases and five deaths last year, following 82 cases and 19 deaths the year before. A single case has also been identified in Connecticut.

The bacterium can enter the body through open wounds, recent piercings or tattoos, or by consuming raw or under‑cooked shellfish, especially oysters. Symptoms may include fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe skin lesions that can progress rapidly, particularly in people with liver disease, weakened immunity, or chronic health conditions. Romanian health authorities note similar risks along the Black Sea coast and advise tourists to cover any open cuts with waterproof bandages before entering the water and to avoid raw seafood. Both countries recommend thorough cooking of shellfish, hand‑washing after handling raw products, and seeking immediate medical care if symptoms develop after exposure.