Vibrio

While infections are rare, the flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus thrives in Florida's warm, salty waters year-round. To protect yourself from this life-threatening infection, avoid swimming and fishing in brackish water with open wounds or handling and eating raw seafood.

Vibrio vulnificus, sometimes known as flesh-eating bacteria, is often transmitted when someone with an open wound enters brackish water. The infection can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a condition where the flesh around the wound dies.