When you imagine a day at Pensacola Beach, you probably see sun, sand, and saltwater, but beneath the waves lies a lesser-known threat: Vibrio vulnificus, sometimes called “flesh-eating bacteria”. In Florida, the bacterium thrives in warm, brackish coastal waters and has been linked to several serious infections and deaths in recent years. The risk is small but real, especially for people with open wounds or weakened immune systems.
A 2025 update from the University of Florida’s Emerging Pathogens Institute notes that Florida continues to be a hotspot for Vibrio vulnificus infections. In warm months, especially May through October, the bacteria flourish, and environmental events like hurricanes can worsen exposure by pushing saltwater inland or creating new wound risks. As of August 2025, the Institute reports 20 confirmed cases in Florida with five fatalities.
To understand how this plays out locally, I talked with Thymian Becker, a 21‑year-old lifeguard at Navarre Beach. “We’ve had a few close calls,” she said. “In July, someone came to my tower with a swollen leg. He told us he’d cut himself fishing earlier, then went into the water. We called EMS immediately.” Becker later learned through responding medical personnel that the patient had developed an early-stage Vibrio infection. “He got treated just in time,” she recalled. “Beachgoers often don’t realize how fast it can escalate.”…