Chron, by Timothy Malcolm: It’s that time of year again. A flesh-eating bacteria that often makes its presence felt along the Texas coast is once again raising concerns across the Gulf. This time the bacteria, a form of vibrio, has led to several deaths and more than two-dozen illnesses from Florida to Louisiana.
Thirty-two people in the four Gulf Coast states east of Texas have contracted vibrio vulnificus, which naturally lives in warmer coastal waters and can be contracted either by entering into the bloodstream when swimming or even eating raw seafood from the Gulf.
When swallowed, vibrio commonly leads to diarrhea, cramps, nausea and vomiting, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Infection. When vibiro enters through a wound, symptoms include fever, chills and swelling.
In some cases, vibrio can kill or “eat” the flesh around a wound. That could lead to amputations and, in some cases, death. The Louisiana Department of Health on Thursday confirmed 17 vibrio cases so far in 2025, including four deaths. The Florida Department of Health has confirmed 13 cases and four deaths so far in 2025. Alabama and Mississippi health officials have confirmed one case each, according to People.
It’s unclear how many cases have been reported this year in Texas; Chron has reached out to state health officials for more information. Last year at this time, eight cases of vibrio were reported in Galveston County, representing an increase from the day before.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in June published a news alert about vibrio in saltwater, noting that authorities have issued warnings about the bacteria across the Texas coast in recent years. Summer is peak season for vibrio because of the warmer water temperatures.
In August of last year, a Texas man who went fishing in Freeport contracted vibrio after it entered his bloodstream through what his daughter called “a little tiny knick on the top of his foot.” He quickly experienced pain in his right side, then ran a fever and was put on a ventilator. He died days after going fishing.
Prophetic Link:
“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” Matthew 24:7.
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