United States: What began as a normal day by the water for Richard Empson and Cornell Arceneaux of Louisiana ended up being a battle for survival.
Hearing what happened to them makes for a scary warning as Vibrio vulnificus, which can eat flesh, is showing up more and more.
America’s beaches and shores, from the Gulf Coast on the west to New England on the east.
During a family holiday in Bay St Louis, Mississippi, in August 2016, everything changed for Empson. Since he was fishing for hours in warm water, the bacteria got into his body through tiny cracks in his skin.
A trouble-free afternoon led to an urgent run to intensive care. The medication his doctor prescribed has only a 20 percent likelihood of treating the problem.
Why Is Vibrio Spreading Fast?
Once it failed, they told him to give up either his leg or his life. Arceneaux had faced Vibrio three times: twice from handling mussels when he had open hand cuts and once from eating peeled oysters.
🇺🇸FLESH-EATING BACTERIA TURNS U.S. BEACHES INTO DANGER ZONES
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexkennedyIran) May 26, 2025
Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria, is turning sunny beach days into horror stories.
This microscopic menace can sneak in through a cut so small you might not even see it and destroy muscle and skin in hours.… pic.twitter.com/GygxiGDwDr
Once, symptoms of pain and swelling appeared within only two hours.
Blisters had appeared on him by the time he arrived at the hospital, and emergency surgery was started to save his limbs.
He made it through but is left with deep scars holding his body. People usually get Vibrio vulnificus when tiny cuts or scratches draw in the bacteria, and the bug hijacks the blood, creating plenty of toxins that eat away at the flesh.
Forcing tissues to survive without proper oxygen and blood changes the skin to black and makes the muscles sluggish.
Ignoring a minor wound can quickly turn it into a serious health problem — sometimes only lasting a day. The CDC receives reports of 150 to 200 cases of V. vulnificus a year, and one in five of these people is reported to have died.
Where’s the Latest CDC Data?
The CDC hasn’t released an annual report on Vibrio in the U.S. since 2019, when 2,685 infections were found, but it seems the number of cases is increasing.
An overall review of CDC findings for 1988–2018 saw Vibrio infections on the East Coast increase from just 10 cases to 80 per year.
Hotter oceans are helping Vibrio flourish in areas like Alaska, the Baltic Sea, and Chile, where scientists now see these places as possible hotspots.
Experts believe a combination of seafood demand, more people spending time at the coast, and climate change will lead to many more people getting infected and, for some, death.
Prevention and What to Do?
To stay safe from Vibrio vulnificus, avoid entering warm seawater if you have cuts, scrapes, or fresh tattoos. Always wear protective gloves when handling raw seafood—especially oysters or mussels—and never eat raw or undercooked shellfish.
After exposure to salt or brackish water, wash your skin thoroughly with clean water and soap.
If you notice swelling, redness, or pain around a wound—especially if blisters or fever follow—seek emergency care immediately.
Vibrio infections can worsen in hours, not days. Early treatment can mean the difference between recovery and amputation—or even survival.