Health authorities are warning beachgoers in the UK about a rise in cases of Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria typically found in warm coastal waters. The bacterium, which thrives in saltwater, has caused severe infections and deaths in other parts of the world, including Florida, where four deaths have been reported this year.
Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare but can be serious. The bacteria enter the body through open cuts or by consuming raw shellfish, particularly oysters. Most healthy individuals experience mild symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and chills. However, in people with weakened immune systems, the infection can enter the bloodstream, leading to septic shock, skin lesions, and necrotising fasciitis—a condition where flesh around a wound dies.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five people who contract the infection die, sometimes within days. Antibiotics and wound care are critical for treatment. The Florida Department of Health reported 19 deaths and 82 cases last year, an increase from previous years, partly linked to hurricanes that pushed saltwater inland.
Climate change is exacerbating the risk, with warmer sea temperatures and stronger storms creating ideal conditions for the bacteria. Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have found that Vibrio pathogens can attach to microplastics and sargassum seaweed, potentially increasing exposure. UK experts advise avoiding raw shellfish, keeping open wounds covered, and wearing protective clothing when in coastal waters.
