The Florida Department of Health has confirmed a case of Vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria, in Polk County — the county’s first reported case in 2025, according to state health data.

Details about the case are confidential, health officials said. As of Nov. 13, Florida has logged 31 cases statewide this year, with five deaths reported.

Last year saw 82 documented cases and 19 deaths, with the elevated numbers attributed to hurricanes that impacted the state, the health department said.

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacteria found in warm brackish seawater. It can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which flesh around an open wound dies. People can contract the infection through open wounds exposed to contaminated water or by consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms of a bloodstream or wound infection after exposure to coastal waters or raw seafood.

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