Florida health officials reported one additional Vibrio vulnificus infection in Lee County for the week ending July 10, bringing the state total to 10 cases in 2026, the Florida Department of Health said.
The cases are spread across seven counties: Hillsborough, Lee (2), Marion, Miami-Dade (2), Okaloosa, Palm Beach (2) and St. Johns. Health authorities reported one fatality in Palm Beach County among this year’s cases.
What residents need to know
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that can cause illness when people eat contaminated seafood or when open wounds are exposed to warm seawater containing the organism. In healthy individuals the disease often is mild, but it can be life-threatening for people with weakened immune systems or chronic liver disease.
- Avoid raw oysters and raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly if you have liver disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system.
- Do not enter warm seawater with open cuts or wounds; cover wounds securely and seek fresh water cleaning if exposure occurs.
- Seek prompt medical care for fever, chills, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea or blistering skin lesions after seafood consumption or seawater exposure.
Cases by county (2026, through week ending July 10)
| County | Reported cases |
|---|---|
| Hillsborough | 1 |
| Lee | 2 |
| Marion | 1 |
| Miami-Dade | 2 |
| Okaloosa | 1 |
| Palm Beach | 2 (including 1 fatality) |
| St. Johns | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
For context, state health data show 33 cases and five deaths were reported in Florida during 2025. The bacterium can invade the bloodstream and cause septic shock; bloodstream infections have historically carried a high fatality rate, particularly among people with underlying conditions.
How infections occur and who is at greatest risk
Vibrio vulnificus can cause gastrointestinal illness after eating contaminated seafood, typically raw shellfish. It also can infect skin and soft tissue when an open wound is exposed to warm seawater, potentially producing ulcers or rapidly progressive infections.
Health studies and surveillance indicate people with chronic liver disease, diabetes, or other conditions that weaken the immune system face the highest risk of severe disease. According to published analyses, those with such underlying conditions have been shown to be many times more likely to develop bloodstream infections than otherwise healthy people.
Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment for serious Vibrio infections. Early medical evaluation and treatment improve outcomes, particularly for people with pre-existing conditions.
Residents and visitors should remain vigilant as sea temperatures rise during summer months. The Florida Department of Health continues to monitor cases and advises the public to follow food-safety and wound-care recommendations to reduce risk.
— Mateo Rivera, Florida correspondent
