A father in Florida has become the latest casualty of a rapidly escalating flesh-eating bacteria outbreak that has already claimed eight lives across the United States and left dozens more in critical condition. Health officials say the man’s death marks a troubling rise in severe cases of Vibrio vulnificus — a rare but deadly bacterial infection that can destroy human tissue within hours and has prompted urgent public warnings in multiple states.
According to a statement released by the Florida Department of Health, the victim, identified by family members as 42-year-old James Harrington, died just 48 hours after first noticing redness and swelling in his leg. His wife, Maria, told NBC News that James initially thought it was “just a bug bite” after a fishing trip in Tampa Bay. “He said it stung a little, but he wasn’t worried,” she said. “By the next day, he could barely walk, and his skin was turning black. The doctors said it was already too late.”
Medical experts say Vibrio vulnificus infections can progress at an alarming speed, often requiring emergency surgery or amputation to prevent death. In James’s case, doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital attempted multiple procedures to remove the infected tissue, but the bacteria had already spread to his bloodstream, causing septic shock. “Once it reaches that stage, survival rates drop dramatically,” Dr. Andrew Michaels, an infectious disease specialist at the hospital, told CNN. “We’re seeing more cases this year, and they’re more severe than usual.”
Florida health officials are warning residents after a surge in deadly Vibrio vulnificus cases. The bacteria can kill within days. pic.twitter.com/bB7VuDRD4t— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) August 13, 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed at least 35 hospitalizations nationwide linked to Vibrio vulnificus since the beginning of summer, with cases reported in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina. The bacteria, which thrives in warm, brackish coastal waters, is often contracted through open wounds exposed to seawater or by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. As ocean temperatures rise due to climate change, experts warn the infection’s range is expanding further north.
“We used to see this almost exclusively in the Gulf Coast states,” Dr. Julia Ramos, a marine microbiologist at the University of Miami, explained to Reuters. “Now, we’re getting reports from as far north as New Jersey. Warmer waters are creating the perfect breeding ground for these bacteria.” She stressed that anyone with cuts, scrapes, or recent tattoos should avoid swimming in salt or brackish water and that high-risk individuals — such as those with liver disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems — are especially vulnerable.
Maria Harrington described the ordeal of watching her husband’s health deteriorate as “a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone.” She said James had been “the healthiest person” she knew, with no underlying conditions, making his death even more shocking. “He was strong, active, and always outdoors. We thought this was something that happened to older people or people who were already sick. We were wrong.”
Her grief has been compounded by frustration at what she calls a lack of public awareness. “Nobody told us the water could kill you,” she told ABC News. “If there had been warnings posted at the beach, maybe he’d still be here.” Florida officials say they are working to increase signage and public alerts, but acknowledge that many residents and tourists are still unaware of the risks.
“We need clear warnings at every beach. People are dying because they don’t know the danger.” — Widow of Florida Vibrio victim. pic.twitter.com/mCUMrLRQj4— ABC News (@ABC) August 13, 2025
The CDC’s latest advisory urges people to seek medical attention immediately if they notice symptoms such as redness, swelling, severe pain, fever, or blistering after contact with seawater. “Every hour counts with Vibrio vulnificus,” the agency’s alert reads. “Early treatment with intravenous antibiotics can save lives, but delays can be fatal.”
In addition to water exposure, several of the recent fatalities have been linked to raw oyster consumption. Earlier this month, a man in Texas died after eating oysters at a seaside restaurant. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Vibrio vulnificus in the shellfish, prompting health inspectors to close the supplier temporarily. The Texas Department of State Health Services has since urged restaurants to post visible warnings about the dangers of eating raw shellfish, particularly during the warmer months.
Social media has amplified the alarm, with graphic images of necrotizing fasciitis — the flesh-destroying condition the bacteria can cause — going viral on platforms like X and Instagram. Some users have criticized the posts as fearmongering, while others argue they’re necessary to make people understand the urgency of the threat.
“This isn’t hype — it’s reality,” wrote one user in a widely shared Reddit post. “If showing a picture of what this bacteria can do makes someone stay out of the water with an open cut, then it’s worth it.” Another user responded, “I used to think flesh-eating bacteria was just a scary news headline. Now I know it’s something that can kill you in days.”
Florida’s outbreak is part of a troubling national trend. A 2023 study published in Nature Scientific Reports found that Vibrio infections in the U.S. have been increasing by approximately 8% each year since 1998. Researchers attribute the rise to warming seas, increased coastal development, and more recreational water use. In the most severe cases, mortality rates can reach as high as 30%.
James Harrington’s family is now calling on state leaders to launch an aggressive public awareness campaign ahead of Labor Day weekend, when millions are expected to flock to beaches. “We don’t want another family going through what we’re going through,” Maria said. “If people understand the risks, they can make safer choices.”
Labor Day is coming. So is peak season for Vibrio infections. Know the signs. Protect yourself. pic.twitter.com/9ZsfKnKoBC— CDC (@CDCgov) August 13, 2025
Health officials are urging residents in affected states to follow a few critical precautions: avoid entering the water with open wounds, wear protective gloves when handling raw seafood, refrigerate shellfish promptly, and cook it thoroughly before eating. They also recommend that people with weakened immune systems avoid raw oysters altogether, regardless of the season.
In the Harrington household, the tragedy has left an irreplaceable void. Maria says their two young children still don’t fully understand that their father isn’t coming home. “They keep asking when Daddy’s going to take them fishing again,” she said through tears. “I don’t have the heart to tell them he died doing what he loved — because of something none of us saw coming.”
For now, officials can only hope heightened awareness will slow the deadly outbreak before more lives are lost. But with climate conditions favoring bacterial growth and peak beach season approaching, many fear James Harrington won’t be the last to fall victim to this microscopic killer.
