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Florida currently leads the nation in Vibrio vulnificus infections, but how common is it?
Florida currently leads the nation in Vibrio vulnificus infections, but how common is it? Florida has reported four deaths associated with a "flesh-eating" bacteria known as Vibrio vulnificus, which has seemingly set off a bit of panic throughout the state. There have been 11 confirmed cases of Vibrio vulnificus and four deaths, according to data published by the Florida Department of Health on July 11, putting the state more or less in line with the average number of cases by July (16.5). Escambia and Santa Rosa counties also reported their first cases of flesh-eating bacteria of the year, each reported a single count. 'Flesh-eating' bacteria: 2 cases found in Escambia, Santa Rosa counties Like the rest of Florida, the Pensacola area is no stranger to Vibrio vulnificus cases. In 2019, the News Journal reported on a Pensacola man who nearly died after contracting flesh-eating bacteria while fishing in his kayak in Big Lagoon. The man noticed his right leg began to hurt a few hours after he got home. After another 15 to 20 minutes, he said a boil came up 'out of nowhere' and he was unable to walk. After a long stay at Ascension Sacred Heart and at least 10 surgeries, he had to learn to talk again. Over the past 10 years, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, on average, have reported fewer than a handful of Vibrio vulnificus cases annually. Flesh-eating bacteria are a dangerous virus, but thankfully rare to encounter. If you're concerned about contracting it, here's what to know to prevent it. Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have had 48 confirmed flesh-eating bacteria cases since 2015 Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have averaged around 3.4 and 1.8 annual cases of flesh-eating bacteria between 2015 and 2024, respectively, according to the Florida Department of Health. Both counties saw the highest number of cases in the nine-year period in 2022, when Escambia County had five confirmed cases and Santa Rosa County had four. For Florida as a whole, 2022 saw the second-highest number of reported flesh-eating bacteria cases at 74. The highest number was 83, which was reported in 2024. Does Pensacola Beach have flesh-eating bacteria? Vibrio vulnificus bacteria are naturally occurring in warm saltwater and brackish water, which is a mixture of saltwater and freshwater, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vibrio can be found in waters throughout Florida, but not all Vibrio bacteria cause the sort of flesh-eating infection that leads to necrotizing fasciitis, which is when the infection kills flesh surrounding an open wound. To complicate matters, swimming in contaminated waters isn't the only way to become infected. Another source of infection is contaminated raw or undercooked seafood, especially shellfish such as oysters. Florida has averaged around 54 annual cases of flesh-eating bacteria since 2015 Florida leads the nation in Vibrio vulnificus infections, though spikes in cases and deaths tend to coincide with major hurricanes, when seawater is carried on shore, triggering flooding and dumping seawater into freshwater sources. Between 2015 and 2024, Florida averaged 54 Vibrio vulnificus cases and about 11 deaths each year. The state saw an uptick in cases and deaths in 2022 when Hurricane Ian battered communities along the southwest coast, leading to 74 reported cases and 17 deaths. Last year, the state recorded 82 cases and 19 deaths – a surge health officials tied to a pair of damaging hurricanes, Helene and Milton. How many people have died from flesh-eating bacteria in Florida? According to the FDOH 4 people have died so far in 2025, as of Friday, July 11: Bay County: 1 Broward County: 1 Hillsborough County: 1 St. Johns: 1 Between 2008 and 2025, 178 people in Florida have died from Vibrio vulnificus, according to FDOH records. How many cases of flesh-eating bacteria have been reported in Florida? According to the FDOH, 11 cases have been reported so far in 2025, as of Friday, July 11: Bay County: 1 Broward County: 1 Escambia County: 1 Hillsborough County: 1 Lee County: 1 Manatee County: 1 St. Johns County: 2 Santa Rosa County: 1 Walton County: 1 How you can prevent becoming infected from flesh-eating bacteria It's difficult to completely avoid potentially coming into contact with Vibrio in Florida if you enjoy seafood or the beach. Here are some tips from the health department on preventing Vibrio vulnificus. Do not eat raw oysters or other raw shellfish. Cook shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) thoroughly. For shellfish in the shell, either a) boil until the shells open and continue boiling for 5 more minutes, or b) steam until the shells open and then continue cooking for 9 more minutes. Do not eat those shellfish that do not open during cooking. Boil shucked oysters at least 3 minutes, or fry them in oil at least 10 minutes at 375°F. Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw seafood and juices from raw seafood. Eat shellfish promptly after cooking and refrigerate leftovers. Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, or to raw shellfish harvested from such waters. Wear protective clothing (e.g., gloves) when handling raw shellfish. Can flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus be treated? Yes and it's crucial that anyone who believes they are infected seek medical attention as soon as possible. Severe or prolonged Vibrio infections are treated with antibiotics. Vibrio wound infection is treated with antibiotics and surgery to remove dead or infected tissue, according to the CDC. In serious situations, surgery may include amputation. The CDC doesn't recommend antibiotics to treat mild Vibrio infections. Anyone experiencing diarrhea or vomiting should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. What are the symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus? Common symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus infection include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever, according to the CDC. When open wounds are exposed to contaminated salt or brackish water, Vibrio vulnificus can cause discoloration, swelling, skin breakdown and ulcers. The bacteria can also invade the bloodstream and threaten severe and life-threatening illnesses such as septic shock, especially for those with pre-existing conditions. "Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal about 50 percent of the time," according to the Florida Department of Health. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Is 'flesh-eating' bacteria common in the Pensacola area? Solve the daily Crossword
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2 days ago
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'Flesh-eating' bacteria: 2 cases found in Escambia, Santa Rosa counties
Eleven people have contracted Vibrio vulnificus, the so-called "flesh-eating" bacteria, and two of the cases were reported in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties respectively. Vibrio vulnificusa is a naturally occurring bacterial infection found in brackish seawater. People can contract it by exposing open cuts or wounds to the water or by eating raw or undercooked seafood. The FDOH did not specify the sources of the new cases. Four people have died from it so far in 2025, according to the Florida Department of Health. The deaths were in Bay, Broward, Hillsborough and St. Johns counties, the FDOH reported on July 11. If the bacteria infects a person, it can cause the skin and soft tissue around a wound to quickly break down. Treatment may require limb amputation to stop the rapid flesh deterioration, and the infection can be fatal. Last year, there were a record 82 cases and 19 deaths, most of them after October when large areas of the state were flooded by back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton. Vibrio vulnificusa requires brackish saltwater to spread. Nationwide, vibriosis from Vibrio vulnificus and other Vibrio bacteria causes an estimated 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). How many people have died from flesh-eating bacteria in Florida? According to the FDOH, four people have died so far in 2025, as of Friday, July 11: Bay County: 1 Broward County: 1 Hillsborough County: 1 St. Johns: 1 Between 2008 and 2025, 178 people in Florida have died from Vibrio vulnificus, according to FDOH records. How many cases of flesh-eating bacteria have been reported in Florida? According to the FDOH, 11 cases have been reported so far in 2025, as of Friday, July 11: Bay County: 1 Broward County: 1 Escambia County: 1 Hillsborough County: 1 Lee County: 1 Manatee County: 1 St. Johns County: 2 Santa Rosa County: 1 Walton County: 1 What is Vibrio vulnificus? The Vibrio vulnificus bacteria can be found in raw or undercooked seafood, saltwater, and brackish water, which is created when fresh water from a river or lake meets the salty water of the sea. Flooding spreads brackish water into places it doesn't usually get to, and people working in floodwaters during and after storms are susceptible. Vibrio vulnificus, while rare, can be life-threatening. Some Vibrio vulnificus infections lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies. Without treatment, death can occur in just a few days. People with compromised immune systems, liver disease, or open wounds are at higher risk for Vibrio vulnificus, the FDOH said. What are the symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus or 'flesh-eating bacteria'? (WARNING, AN IMAGE BELOW MAY BE TOO GRAPHIC FOR SOME AUDIENCES) Common symptoms of Vibrio infection may include: Watery diarrhea, often accompanied by stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Bloodstream infection: fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions. Wound infection, which may spread to the rest of the body: fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and discharge (leaking fluids). If you experience these symptoms after being exposed to floodwaters, seek medical attention immediately. Healthcare professionals can treat the infection with antibiotics, but in extreme cases arms and legs may need to be amputated to remove dead or infected tissue. "Many people with Vibrio vulnificus infection require intensive care or limb amputations," the CDC said on its site, "and about 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill." Does 'flesh-eating bacteria' actually eat flesh? While colloquially known as a "flesh-eating bacteria," vibrio vulnificus technically kills flesh rather than "eats" it. Vibrio vulnificus can cause necrotizing fasciitis that kills human tissue, including the skin and outer layer surrounding muscles, nerves, fat, blood vessels and organs. It cannot penetrate intact skin, but must enter through an existing break in the skin. No, but it does kill it. Vibrio vulnificus can cause necrotizing fasciitis that kills human tissue, including the skin and outer layer surrounding muscles, nerves, fat, blood vessels and organs. Calling it 'flesh-eating bacteria' is inaccurate, − though a common reference − because (1) it kills tissue, but does not eat it; and (2) it cannot penetrate intact skin, but must enter through an existing break in the skin. Can you get the flesh-eating bacteria from another person? "There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of Vibrio vulnificus," the FDOH said. How can I avoid contracting Vibrio vulnificus? According to the FDOH and CDC: Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, especially flood water, or to raw shellfish harvested from such waters. Stay out of the water, or cover your wound with a waterproof bandage. Immediately wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water after they have contact with saltwater, brackish water, raw seafood, or its juices. Seek immediate medical care if a wound develops redness, swelling, or oozing, or other signs of infection such as fever, increasing pain, shortness of breath, fast or high heart rate, or confusion or disorientation. Do not eat raw oysters or other raw shellfish. Eat shellfish promptly after cooking and refrigerate leftovers. Cook them thoroughly: Boil shellfish in the shell until the shells open and then for 5 more minutes, or steam them until the shells open and then for 9 more minutes. Boil shucked oysters for at least 3 minutes or fry them in oil for at least 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Do not eat shellfish that does not open during cooking. Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw seafood and juices from raw seafood. Wear protective clothing (e.g., gloves) when handling raw shellfish. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: 'Flesh-eating' bacteria in Florida cases reach 11, 4 deaths in 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
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Escambia Deputy Jeremy Cassady, shot during hostage call, dies of cancer 15 years later
An Escambia County Sheriff's deputy who was shot and injured while responding to a domestic violence call of a woman being held hostage by her boyfriend in Pensacola in 2010, has died from cancer that his family says was a result of the incident. Jeremy Cassady, 50, 'passed very peacefully at home with family' in Milton on Tuesday night, July 15. His sister, Dana Cassady, said he died of oral throat cancer that was related to the anti-rejection drugs he took after he had a kidney/pancrease transplant a year after the shooting. 'He has been through a lot the last 15 years, a kidney transplant, and the kidney stopped working about six years ago and had to come out,' Dana said. 'He and his wife did dialysis at home every morning and he went on about his day as normal people would, but he was tired of fighting on this one. There was no winning it.' Cassady was seriously injured while responding to a home invasion at Jacqueline Rosenbloom's house on Baywind Circle on Oct. 29, 2010. He was one of three deputies shot by Rosenbloom's ex-boyfriend Philip Monier, who allegedly broke into the home to confront her and demand the return of a ring he had given her. Rosenbloom called 911 and the deputies who responded were reportedly told that Philip Monier had forced his way into the home, kicked down Rosenbloom's bedroom door and was holding her hostage armed with a gun. Gunfire was exchanged during the incident. Several deputies were shot along with Rosenbloom, who was shot five times by deputies and later reached a $975,000 settlement with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. Monier was not shot and eventually surrendered. He was later convicted of multiple counts of attempted murder and sentenced to life in prison. Cassady's injuries were severe enough to force his medical retirement, according to the Sheriff's Office. 'In that domestic violence situation, bullets went through his vest, like through where the vest had velcroed and couldn't come out,' Dana said. 'They really did a lot of damage internally.' Cassady's sister says he loved being a police officer, like their father, Henry Cassady, who was a highly decorated officer with the Pensacola Police Department and died a year and a half ago. The family says Jeremy lived a 'pretty normal life' on his property in Milton where he had cows and enjoyed the rural life with his wife and family, until he was diagnosed with cancer that would eventually take his life. Officer involved shooting: ECSO: Deputy shoots armed man while investigating gunshots near 850 Fusion Bar They were especially touched by the deputies who visited them after he passed on Tuesday night. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Cassady Family on the loss of retired Deputy Jeremy Cassady,' Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons said. 'I have been friends with the Cassady Family for many years. Jeremy and his dad Henry provided decades of service to our community.' Dana said her brother will be remembered as a funny, gregarious guy with a heart of gold who 'lived life to the fullest' and was 'extremely brave through these battles.' They are currently planning for his funeral. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Escambia Deputy Jeremy Cassady shot during hostage call dies of cancer
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Costco still has eyes on Pensacola with new plans for Nine Mile store submitted July 14
(This story was updated to add new information.) Costco officially set its eyes on the Pensacola market by filing a proposal to build a store at 225 E. Nine Mile Road last June. More than a year later, Costco is yet to receive approval from Escambia County's Development Review Committee (DRC) since submitting their plans. Still, there are signs of life that Costco still wants to make the Pensacola store a reality. The retailer filed its latest proposal to Escambia County on July 14, nearly four months after its previous submission. A review by the DRC isn't scheduled yet., though four sets of plans have been filed for the project so far. The News Journal reached out to Costco for comment on the potential store, but their policy is to not comment on future stores until they're ready to share details about the location, which is typically two-to-three months out from its opening date. Cook Out joins Pensacola: Cook Out has opened in Pensacola An Escambia County spokesperson confirmed receipt of the proposal to the News Journal and stated that "some state regulatory items are still pending" for the project. What's Costco? Costco is a membership warehouse club that has hundreds of locations worldwide and offers a wide selection of merchandise ranging from groceries, furniture and electronics to pet insurance, bottled water delivery and travel packages. Is Costco coming to Pensacola? Costco plans to build a 172,580-square-foot store at 225 E. Nine Mile Road with a gas station in between Sam's Seafood & Grill and Wells Fargo bank, a tire center alongside improvements to the existing plazas' parking lot and entryways. If Costco's plans are approved by the county, they'll first have to demolish the existing building inside the plaza before building their store. Planet Fitness, the last business standing in the building, is constructing its own location across the street. Some of the existing businesses in the plaza that aren't based inside that building will remain if the project is approved, such as Dairy Queen, Sam's Seafood and Wells Fargo. Escambia County initially received an application from Thomas Engineering, a Tampa-based engineering firm, last June on behalf of Costco to develop its first Pensacola store inside an existing shopping center on Nine Mile Road. The group resubmitted its proposal in October after receiving feedback from the DRC, which painted a clearer picture of the potential project, but Costco still didn't receive a development order from the DRC to start the process. Another set of site plan drawings were filed to Escambia County in March that made slight revisions to the previous proposal. Developers reduced the proposed number of parking spots to 830 and added plans to create bike racks next to the liquor store. Escambia County received the fourth, and latest, set of plans on July 14, which is a similar proposal as the previous submission. When is Costco opening in Pensacola? There isn't a projected opening date for Pensacola's first Costco store, as the project has not been approved by the DRC yet. Where is Costco opening new stores? Costco has opened three new stores since June, including a location in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, and Malmo, Sweden, with plans to debut seven new locations through August 2025. That includes three international stores, two of which will open in Canada while the remaining store will open in Mexico. The Villages is the only Florida city with a Costco opening scheduled in August. The incoming stores will be located in the following cities. Allen, Texas East Newmarket, Canada North Guadalajara, Mexico Rimouski, Canada Richland, Washington Spring Valley, Nevada The Villages, Florida This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Costco Pensacola store plans stalled, but progress could come soon Solve the daily Crossword
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'I'm not a racist.' Former attorney sentenced for throwing parade beads at Hispanic child
A former attorney convicted of misdemeanor battery for intentionally throwing parade beads at a child and hitting her in the face was sentenced to a year's probation with stipulations that she must abstain from alcohol and drugs without a prescription or go to jail for four months. Kelly McGraw, 59, was adjudicated guilty and sentenced July 15. Escambia County Judge Scott Ritchie sentenced McGraw to 120 days in jail, suspended, with 12 months' probation. The jail sentence is suspended upon successful completion of probation. Conditions of her probation include no alcohol or drugs without a prescription, random breath and urine testing at the defendant's expense, substance abuse evaluation, and anger management counseling. 'I have struggled with this case because I really didn't know what I wanted to do with it until I heard everything today,' Ritchie said at McGraw's sentencing hearing. McGraw, a former attorney who was previously disbarred for substance abuse issues, was convicted on June 12 of misdemeanor battery for intentionally throwing parade beads at the face of a child who was blowing a whistle given to her by law enforcement to celebrate the Grand Fiesta Parade last year. Although McGraw denied the accusations, the victim and witnesses testified she deliberately hurled a heavy set of big parade beads at the child for continuing to blow the whistle after berating her to stop and telling the girl and her family they were b------ and to go back to their country due to them being a different ethnicity. The girl's mother, Alexa Gonzales, spoke at McGraw's sentencing about the impact the incident had on her and her daughter. Gonzales said she feels leery of public gatherings now and recently went to another parade but couldn't stay long due to anxiety. She said both she and her daughter are much more aware of their surroundings when out in public. 'I wouldn't say she suffers,' Gonzales told the court. 'But she's definitely more wary of being in public, more aware of her surroundings. She mentions it a lot more, 'What, if this could happen? Or what would we do if someone else tried to hit me?' Things like that.' Gonzales asked Ritchie to sentence McGraw to jail and "definitely" probation. 'I don't think that people can go around hitting people's children and think it's OK,' Gonzales said. 'I would never in my right mind think to do that, especially to a minor kid for no reason at all just because they were having fun.' McGraw tells judge she's a 'nurturer not a batterer' McGraw spoke to the judge about the incident prior to sentencing. She continued to deny that she hit the child with the beads, but said if she did it 'was certainly not intentional by me at all.' The day of the incident, McGraw said she was watching the parade in a 'VIP' section at Palafox and Government Streets when the 'Gonzales group' arrived later in the day behind the bleachers where she was sitting and began 'incessantly blowing kazoos.' She said she repeatedly asked them to stop, but other witnesses began 'arguing and engaging' with her over taking the children to task for blowing the whistles at a parade. She admitted she did swear, but not at any one person. 'I felt that I was being ganged up on and I did shout obscenities to the crowd,' McGraw said. 'It was extremely chaotic. Music was blaring, people were screaming, beads were flying. I never had any direct contact with Gonzalez.' McGraw blamed two witnesses for 'orchestrating this entire scenario,' saying their testimony 'was created by hysteria and the power of suggestion' by one woman who was there. She also blamed a man who gave his account to police about what happened, saying that he 'goaded' the mother and child into believing McGraw threw beads at the child and hit her in the face because the mother had stepped away at the time of the incident and the child couldn't say exactly where she was hit in the face and was uninjured. "I believe (a male witness) told (Alexa Gonzales) that I said, 'Go back to your country,' and referencing me as a racist, which I'm not," McGraw said. McGraw, a mother of five children, said she was a 'nurturer not a batterer,' and her husband, Jack Williams, also spoke to the court on her behalf saying she was a good mother. 'The thought that she had hurt someone at that parade disturbed her,' Williams said. 'It was not something in her nature. I can see her throwing beads back, but that's kind of the way the parade is done.' McGraw's attorney mentioned that McGraw is known in the community due to her former position as an attorney. Williams said the couple has received public support over the incident, but it has been hard on them and their family. 'This whole situation has been a nightmare,' McGraw said. 'Beyond embarrassing. I have never been in any physical altercation with anyone in my life until (a woman witness) accosted me that night. I will be 60 years old this year and have attended parades for most of my life and never had any issues of any kind again. I apologize to the Gonzalez family for any action of mine that affected them.' Prior criminal history The prosecution asked the court to sentence McGraw to 90 days in jail based on the battery incident and her prior criminal record. In 2003, McGraw was arrested on charges of possession of cocaine and conspiracy to commit a felony in connection with Operation Sandshaker, a three-year investigation into suspected cocaine trafficking that resulted in the arrest of dozens of people, many prominent in the community. She was offered pre-trial diversion, but the incident prompted the Florida Bar to file a complaint charging her with violation of their rules. Disbarment: Gulf Breeze lawyer disbarred by Florida Supreme Court, plans to fight ruling McGraw was disbarred in 2018 for not abiding by an order to remain free of alcohol and drugs, a decision she fought but it was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court. In 2020, she was arrested twice over multiple incidents of shoplifting at different grocery stores, including for stealing hundreds of dollars of wine, according to arrest reports. Although Gonzales wanted to see McGraw sent to jail, she hopes her own family can put this incident behind them. 'It's made me feel overwhelmed now in public gatherings,' Gonzales said. 'I have to take extra moments to be aware of my surroundings because I'm always worried about what could happen in certain circumstances.' This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Kelly McGraw sentenced to jail, probation for throwing beads at child Solve the daily Crossword
