TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Carnivorous bacteria in Florida’s waters rose to 20 cases in 2025, the Florida Department of Health said.
Vibrio vibrio is a carnivorous bacteria found in certain coastal waters, including salt and brackish water, according to the CDC.
As of August 21, five deaths had been reported in Florida.
The five deaths were as follows:
Bay County: 2 Broward County: 1 Hillsboro County: 1 St. John’s County: 1
Most people get meat-eating bacteria by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, or when open wounds come into contact with coastal water.
According to the CDC, there are 80,000 cases of valiosis in the United States each year, of which 52,000 cases of contaminated food.
Common symptoms include:
Diarrhea of stomach nausea fever fever fever
Carnivorous bacteria can invade the bloodstream and cause severe, life-threatening diseases, FDOH said.
For more information, please visit the FDOH website.
