Vibrio: Florida’s Scariest Threat hasn’t Caused any Deaths in 2019

There’s no doubt flesh-eating disease is one of the scariest-sounding threats out there, and as summer heats up, Vibrio vulnificus is back in the news.

But should it be? Though it’s been grabbing headlines recently in national news stories and viral Facebook posts, there hasn’t been a single confirmed vibrio death in Florida this year, state public health officials say.

So why all the headlines? It may be that awareness of the state’s vulnerable water quality and the potential health risks may have reached critical mass, suggests Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani.