KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- US health officials report an increase in Vibrio vulnificus infections along the Gulf Coast, particularly in Louisiana and Florida.
The bacteria, found in coastal waters, cause severe infections, particularly during warm months, and are linked to seawater exposure and raw seafood consumption.
Rising ocean temperatures and extreme weather events are extending the bacteria's season and geographic range, leading to more infections.
US health officials are reporting an uptick in Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus) infections along the Gulf Coast, with roughly 72 confirmed infections reported in 12 states Jan. 1-Aug. 12. The increase is particularly evident in Louisiana and Florida. Louisiana reported 20 cases as of Aug. 12, exceeding the state’s average of seven cases recorded over a similar period in the last ten years. The majority of infections were linked to seawater exposure. Florida reported 17 cases in multiple counties as of Aug. 14. Additional cases have been reported in Maryland (9 cases), North Carolina (7 cases), Virginia (6 cases), Texas (5 cases), Alabama (3 cases), Georgia (2 cases), and Mississippi, South Carolina, Massachusetts, and Arizona reporting 1 case each. As of Aug. 12, ten V. vulnificus-associated deaths have been reported in Florida (5 deaths), Louisiana (4 deaths), and Maryland (1 death).
Transmission and Symptoms
Vibrio are bacteria naturally found in coastal waters, causing an estimated 80,000 illnesses in the US annually. The risk of infection is highest from May through October, when warm waters create ideal conditions that foster bacterial growth, and human exposure through water activities or raw seafood consumption is highest. Vibriosis symptoms typically include watery diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills; the V. vulnificus species can cause severe, life-threatening infections, with 150-200 cases reported annually in the US and a 20 percent case fatality rate. V. vulnificus is usually transmitted through open wounds exposed to salt or brackish water, and in about 10 percent of cases via eating raw or undercooked shellfish.
Environmental Factors
Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, storm surges, and coastal flooding can push brackish coastal waters inland, raising the risk of Vibrio wound infections among exposed individuals. Florida has repeatedly seen infection spikes following hurricanes, including 82 cases and 19 deaths linked in part to Hurricane Helene in 2024 and 74 cases and 17 deaths after Hurricane Ian in 2022. In comparison, typical years see only 20-40 cases statewide, but recent seasons have often exceeded these averages, reflecting rising temperatures, a growing coastal population, and more frequent severe weather events creating increasingly favorable conditions for bacterial spread.
While most cases still occur in Gulf Coast states, V. vulnificus infections are increasingly reported farther north. Rising ocean temperatures and extreme weather are extending the V. vulnificus season, allowing the bacteria to survive for longer and expanding its geographic range. US CDC data shows an eightfold rise in Eastern US infections from 1988-2018, and the northern geographic range of infections has increased 48 km per year. Sea level rise may change coastal ecosystems and create new areas of brackish water that favor bacterial growth. The increase in cases reported in 2025 highlights the growing impact of higher temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events on V. Vulnificus activity. It underscores the need for precautions in coastal areas, especially during the May-October peak season. This represents the most complete data available as of Aug. 18.
Basic Health Precautions
To reduce the chances of vibrio vulnificus infection, consider the following general advice:
Avoid eating raw or undercooked seafood. If handling raw seafood, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available. Individuals should also limit the number of times they touch their face, eyes, and mouth.
If preparing raw seafood, clean surfaces immediately. Ensure seafood is cooked thoroughly.
Avoid contact with coastal water if any open wounds are present.
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