Cases of Flesh-Eating Bacteria on the Rise

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus — sometimes referred to as “flesh-eating bacteria” — have been rising sharply along the East Coast. Between 1988 and 2018, cases in that region surged by more than 800%.

Health experts say warming ocean waters are fueling the spread. Vibrio bacteria thrive in warmer, brackish water, and as climate change pushes sea temperatures higher, the risk zone for infection has expanded farther north. Where once the Gulf Coast was considered the primary hotspot, infections are now being detected as far north as New Jersey and even New England.

The bacteria, which can enter the body through open wounds or by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, can cause severe illness and in some cases lead to life-threatening blood infections. According to the CDC, about one in five people with this type of infection may die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming sick.

Doctors urge people to take precautions, especially those with weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions. That includes avoiding swimming in warm salt or brackish water with open cuts, wearing protective footwear at the beach, and ensuring shellfish is thoroughly cooked before eating.

Researchers warn that as coastal waters continue to warm, the threat of Vibrio infections is expected to keep spreading northward — underscoring another public health risk linked to climate change.