Warmer seas raise risk of flesh-eating bacteria

Rising ocean temperatures are expanding the reach of Vibrio vulnificus, a dangerous bacterium that can infect people through wounds and raw seafood.

Warmer seas raise risk of flesh-eating bacteria

Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium tied to warm coastal waters, is showing up more as ocean temperatures rise. Officials warn it can enter the body through a simple cut and cause severe illness that may require amputation. The CDC says about one in five infections are fatal. This year, cases have appeared in places not traditionally affected, with 17 in Louisiana, 16 in Florida, and seven in North Carolina. Florida has the most deaths so far, tallying five.

George Billiris, a longtime sponge fisherman, nearly lost his leg in 2019 after contracting the infection while wading with his grandson. Doctors used a marker to track the spread and treated him for weeks, a course that spared his limb. His case shows how quickly symptoms can escalate and why early care matters. The infection can also spread through raw shellfish, especially oysters, raising concerns for seafood consumers.

Climate change is moving health risks beyond familiar borders. The spread of Vibrio vulnificus to northern states underscores how heat and storms shift danger into new communities, challenging local clinics and emergency rooms. It also tests public messaging around safe water activities and seafood consumption.

Policy implications are clear. Health departments need broader alerts for at-risk seasons, hospitals require rapid testing and treatment protocols, and the seafood industry should invest in safety standards. The bigger question is whether communities will treat climate-linked health risks with urgency or let them grow with the waves.

Highlights

The coast will watch and wait, but awareness can save lives.