Florida Department of Health official reports

Florida's Flesh-Eating Bacteria Cases Double After Hurricanes; Pinellas County Leads State

Oct 18, 2024, 10:30 PM

Florida has experienced a significant increase in flesh-eating bacteria infections following the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, according to data from the Florida Department of Health. Health officials report that cases of Vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria, have more than doubled since the hurricanes, particularly in Lee and Collier counties and six Tampa Bay-area counties, including Pinellas County, which leads the state in reported cases. The surge, described by officials as an "unusual increase" in infections, is attributed to exposure to floodwaters contaminated with the bacteria from back-to-back hurricanes. Authorities are urging residents to avoid contact with floodwaters to mitigate the risk of infection.