With balmy evenings, delicious seafood, and ocean breezes, summer in Florida feels like paradise.
But as temperatures in the Sunshine State soar, so does a less welcome summer tradition: bacteria and toxins in seafood that can turn a delightful meal into a dangerous encounter.
Let’s dive into seafood and the safety of eating it in Florida, especially in the summer months.
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The Current Crisis: Flesh-Eating Bacteria Claims Lives
In mid-July 2025, Florida health officials reported four deaths from Vibrio vulnificus, a virulent, flesh-eating bacterium.
These fatalities occurred in coastal counties, including Bay, Broward, Hillsborough, and St. Johns, among 11 total cases reported so far this year.
One of the victims was from Bay County, which had not seen a death from this bacteria since 2023.
Cases have also recently been confirmed in Manatee and Hillsborough Counties.
These developments underscore the fact that Florida’s hot summer waters serve as a breeding ground for V. vulnificus, especially between May and October.
By comparison, Florida saw 82 cases and 19 deaths from this bacterium in 2024, highlighting that while 2025 has seen fewer infections to date, the fatality rate remains alarmingly high.
What Is Vibrio vulnificus?
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring marine bacterium that thrives in warm, brackish, and saltwater environments.
It is commonly found in Florida’s estuaries and coastal zones during the summer.
This bacterium can infect humans in two main ways.
The first is through open wounds that come into contact with contaminated water, leading to what are known as necrotizing soft-tissue infections—often referred to as “flesh-eating.”
The second route of infection is by ingesting raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, which can result in bloodstream infections.
For healthy individuals, symptoms are often limited to gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting and diarrhea.
However, people with weakened immune systems, liver disease, diabetes, or low stomach acid are at significantly higher risk.
In these vulnerable individuals, the bacteria can quickly invade the bloodstream, leading to septicemia, which is often fatal.
These infections can progress rapidly—sometimes within hours. The mortality rate is around 25% for wound-related infections and can reach up to 50% when the bacteria enter the bloodstream.
Why Florida’s Summer Waters Pose a Risk
Florida’s coastal waters are warm enough in the summer to encourage the rapid growth of V. vulnificus, typically when temperatures exceed 68°F (20°C).
Climate change and coastal flooding events, including hurricanes, have been linked to surges in Vibrio cases because they disturb sediment and spread the bacteria more widely.
Adults with liver disease, diabetes, kidney conditions, or compromised immune systems should be especially cautious.
Between 2016 and 2024, Florida averaged 49 cases and 11 deaths annually due to this bacterium.
Learn more about dangerous bacteria at Florida beaches, here.
Seafood Safety: What the Experts Recommend
To minimize the risk of illness from seafood during the summer months, public health experts strongly advise that shellfish be cooked thoroughly before consumption.
Raw oysters are particularly dangerous and should never be consumed by anyone in a high-risk group.
Proper handling is also crucial. Anyone who shucks or prepares raw shellfish should wear gloves and maintain strict hygiene, including washing hands and kitchen surfaces thoroughly.
Open wounds should be sealed before coming into contact with any kind of saltwater or raw seafood.
Health officials also advise people to avoid swimming or wading in brackish or saltwater if they have open cuts or wounds.
Even minor scrapes can provide an entry point for Vibrio vulnificus. Using waterproof bandages or staying out of the water until wounds are healed is the safest option.
Recognizing early symptoms of infection can be lifesaving. These symptoms may include redness, swelling, fever, pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Because these infections can escalate quickly, particularly in the form of necrotizing fasciitis or septic shock, it’s critical to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear after seafood consumption or water exposure.
Environmental triggers such as warm water spikes and hurricanes often lead to increases in Vibrio infections.
For this reason, it’s wise to stay informed through Florida Department of Health advisories and local beach safety alerts during the summer.
Beyond Vibrio: Other Seafood Dangers in Summer
Florida’s seafood safety issues are not limited to Vibrio vulnificus. There are also naturally occurring toxins that can be present in marine life during the hotter months.
For instance, neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) is caused by Karenia brevis, the algae behind red tide events.
This can result in symptoms such as tingling, gastrointestinal distress, and respiratory issues.
Although no deaths have been attributed to NSP, its effects can be severe.
Another risk is ciguatera fish poisoning, which comes from eating certain reef fish like grouper, snapper, or barracuda.
This toxin is not visible, cannot be smelled or tasted, and isn’t destroyed by cooking.
Ciguatera can cause neurological symptoms, including temperature reversal and tingling sensations in fingers and toes.
Should You Still Eat Florida Seafood?
Despite these risks, Florida seafood can still be enjoyed safely when basic precautions are followed.
If you’re in good health and you make sure your seafood is thoroughly cooked, it is generally safe to enjoy.
You should also avoid handling or consuming raw seafood if you have open cuts or belong to a vulnerable population.
However, if you are in a high-risk group, you may want to avoid raw shellfish entirely and take extra precautions following storms or during heat waves.
The risk increases significantly in the aftermath of hurricanes or during red tide outbreaks, when bacteria and toxins can be more prevalent.
Real Cases That Demand Attention
The July 2025 reports are a sobering reminder of the potential dangers.
As mentioned, four people have died in Florida so far this year after contracting V. vulnificus, with the cases spread across Bay, Broward, Hillsborough, and St. Johns Counties.
These incidents echo the alarming trends seen in previous years, particularly following major weather events like hurricanes.
In 2024, the state experienced a spike in infections and deaths after Hurricane Helene, a pattern that experts expect to see again as extreme weather becomes more common.
What Experts Are Saying
Health professionals emphasize that early diagnosis and treatment are vital.
Antibiotics administered in the early stages of infection can be lifesaving and, in many cases, can prevent the need for surgical intervention or amputation.
They also stress the importance of avoiding saltwater exposure when you have open wounds, as well as the need to monitor water conditions and seafood advisories throughout the summer.
Final Thoughts
Florida seafood can absolutely be enjoyed in the summer, but caution is key.
The tragic deaths reported in July 2025 from Vibrio vulnificus serve as a wake-up call.
While most people who eat seafood or visit Florida’s beaches will not become ill, the risks are real and should not be ignored.
By cooking your seafood thoroughly, avoiding exposure to contaminated water with open wounds, and paying attention to health alerts, you can dramatically reduce your risk and still enjoy the flavors of Florida’s coast.
Stay informed, stay cautious, and make safety a part of your summer seafood experience.
Safe travels!
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Booking a last-minute trip to Florida?
If so, we have you covered. Here are some top recommended tours and experiences!
Top Tours in Florida – Viator
Top Hotels In Florida – Booking.com
Looking To Get Around In Florida?
Check out rental car rates here! 🚗
