Health
Beachgoers Beware: Protect Yourself from Rising Flesh-Eating Bacteria
As summer draws crowds to the ocean, another hidden threat is raising alarms among health experts. Public health departments across the United States have reported a surge in cases of vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium that thrives in warm waters and can cause severe, life-threatening infections.
This bacterium, often referred to as “flesh-eating,” can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a serious infection that causes the flesh around an open wound to die.
Antarpreet Jutla, an associate professor of environmental engineering sciences at the University of Florida, expressed concern about the rising trend of vibrio infections, stating, “increasing trends [of vibrio] in the entire country…that’s something we are really concerned about.”
Vibrio vulnificus is naturally present in salt, fresh, and brackish waters, with its numbers peaking from May through October due to warmer water temperatures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 80,000 cases of vibriosis occur annually in the U.S., with a significant portion linked to consuming contaminated seafood like oysters.
Symptoms of a vibrio infection can include watery diarrhea, stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. Those who come into contact with the bacteria through an open wound may also experience redness, pain, swelling, and discharge at the infection site.
This year alone, Florida has reported 11 cases of vibrio, resulting in four deaths. Similar fatalities have occurred in Connecticut and New York, highlighting the widespread nature of this threat.
The rise in vibrio cases is exacerbated by increasing temperatures and climate-related events. Vibrio bacteria thrive in the aftermath of storms, particularly hurricanes. In 2024, more than half of Florida’s vibrio infections were linked to Hurricane Helene, with the state documenting over 83 cases.
A study in Scientific Reports indicated that vibrio wound infections have surged eightfold from 1988 to 2018. Projections suggest that by 2081, these infections could affect every state along the east coast under medium-to-high future emissions and warming scenarios.
The concern extends beyond vibrio, as other harmful bacteria have been detected at popular beaches. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) has issued advisories against swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters at several beaches, including the well-visited Santa Monica Pier, due to elevated bacterial levels.
Massachusetts has closed 20 beaches for similar reasons, while New York has restricted swimming at three beaches and issued a water quality advisory at a beach club in Westchester. Illinois has also closed four public beaches after detecting high levels of unsafe bacteria.
In North Carolina, Lake Norman has been affected by cyanobacteria blooms, turning the water a bright green and, in some cases, a milky blue with a strong, foul odor.
Before heading to the beach, it is crucial to check with local public health departments for any water quality advisories. If you suspect exposure to contaminated water, seek medical attention promptly to address potential health risks.
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