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Health officials advising to avoid floodwaters as flesh-eating bacteria cases rise

ST. PETERSBURG — Pinellas County is leading the state in cases of Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacterial infection also known as flesh-eating bacteria.

According to county health officials, Bay area counties experienced unusual increases in cases due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Florida health officials statewide are monitoring an uptick in the disease and advising residents to avoid floodwaters after hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Though rare, the infections are a naturally occurring bacteria in warm, brackish seawater. Officials said scrapes and cuts on the body while in the water can lead to a person being infected.

According to the county health department, Pinellas has 13 reported cases and one death. Officials said there currently is a total of 70 cases across 24 Florida counties and 11 deaths.

Two deaths each have been reported in Palm Beach, Duval and Seminole counties.

Hillsborough has reported five cases, with four cases in Pasco County.

Brevard County has reported five cases, the most in Central Florida.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, people also can get infected from eating uncooked or undercooked shellfish in addition to when seawater enters a wound.

Symptoms get worse quickly. They include fever, low blood pressure and painful blisters. Go to the ER immediately if you think you have a Vibrio vulnificus infection.