TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Flesh-eating bacteria in Florida waters rose to 20 cases in 2025, the Florida Department of Health announced.

Vibrio Vibriosis is a flesh-eating bacterium that lives in certain coastal waters that include salt water and brackish water, according to the CDC.

As of August 21, 20 cases have been reported with five deaths in Florida.

The five deaths are in: • Bay County: 2 • Broward County: 1 • Hillsborough County: 1 • St. Johns County: 1

Most people get the flesh-eating bacteria by eating raw or undercooked shellfish or when an open wound comes in contact with coastal waters.

According to the CDC, there are 80,000 cases of vibriosis each year in the United States, and 52,000 of those cases are the result of eating contaminated food.

Common symptoms are: •

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