The Florida Department of Health confirmed five cases of infection by the so-called flesh-eating bacteria in different counties of the state during the first months of 2026.

This situation affects both residents and tourists who visit the coasts of the most popular state in the southeastern United States.

The worrying thing is that it is not a new disease, but it is changing in frequency due to the increase in ocean temperature, which is growing more and more, helping the expansion of the bacteria.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that serious infections of the flesh-eating bacteria can lead to septicemia, amputations and even death if not treated in time.

The so-called Florida flesh-eating bacteria, known scientifically as Vibrio vulnificus, lives naturally in warm, brackish marine waters. Although the nickname may sound alarmist, there is a reason behind it: in some patients it can destroy soft tissue surprisingly quickly.

Specialists identify two main forms of infection:

A small cut may seem harmless. However, if it comes into contact with contaminated water, it can become a gateway for aggressive infection.

Florida authorities recommend avoiding contact with the sea if there are cuts, recent scrapes or wounds that have not yet completely healed.