Fourth Person Dies In Florida From Flesh-Eating Bacteria Linked To Raw Oysters– wltreport.com

This is concerning if you like oysters.

The Florida Department of Health has revealed four people have died after eating raw oysters.

According to health officials the four people who died ate raw oysters that were contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus.

Yahoo News had the full scoop and shared details on how oysters can be contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus

A fourth person has died in Florida this year from an infection caused by Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially deadly bacterium commonly associated with eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters.

The latest fatality was a Broward County resident between 75 and 79 years old, according to Florida Department of Health data last updated September 10. The state has recorded 21 Vibrio vulnificus infections in 2026, including previous fatalities in Bay, Palm Beach and Marion counties.

It remains unclear how the latest victim contracted the infection. However, most people develop vibriosis after eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Vibrio vulnificus occurs naturally in warm coastal and brackish waters. People can also become infected when an open wound comes into contact with contaminated water. The bacteria can enter the body through cuts, scrapes or other breaks in the skin, putting swimmers, boaters and people who work around coastal water at risk, particularly if they have an open wound. Recent tattoos or piercings can also provide an entry point for the bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vibrio is more prevalent in warmer water, which is one reason infections tend to increase during the warmer months.

Oysters can pose a particular risk because they filter large amounts of seawater as they feed, allowing bacteria such as Vibrio to accumulate inside the shellfish. A contaminated oyster can look, smell and taste normal, meaning consumers cannot tell whether one contains the bacteria.

Cooking oysters thoroughly can kill the bacteria. Health officials also advise people at higher risk of severe Vibrio infection to avoid raw or undercooked shellfish.

Hey, my Florida Friends, be careful out there.
The oysters are wildin’.🦪 https://t.co/RSRB2kBtQA

— George Wept (@GeorgeWept) September 16, 2026