A 17-year-old boy in Florida is in critical condition after contracting a severe Vibrio vulnificus infection, commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria, following a swim in the ocean. Joziah Thompson developed symptoms three days after swimming off the Northwest coast near Pensacola with a cut on his left leg.
Thompson's mother reported that he began experiencing intense pain, fever, and redness on his leg, which was hot to the touch and began to seep. He was initially taken to a local hospital before being transferred to a more advanced facility in Pensacola, where surgeons have begun removing infected tissue. He remains hospitalized and is undergoing treatment with aggressive antibiotics, with his mother stating he is "not out of the woods yet" and will require further surgeries.
The incident occurred on Monday, June 1, when Thompson was swimming at Lion's Park in Niceville. His mother had previously advised caution due to a scratch on his leg, but he proceeded to swim.
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacteria that thrives in warm seawater and can enter the body through open wounds. Symptoms can include pain, redness, swelling, and in severe cases, can lead to tissue death, amputation, or sepsis. The bacteria typically surge between May and October when water temperatures exceed 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).
Thompson's mother has started a GoFundMe page to help cover medical expenses and has temporarily closed her business, leaving her family of nine without their primary income. She is also advocating for an alert system to warn the public about elevated Vibrio bacteria levels in local waters, expressing concern for the safety of children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vibrio infections are rare but can be deadly, with approximately 150 to 200 cases recorded annually nationwide, leading to a fatality in about one in five instances. Last year, at least 72 infections were reported across 12 states, primarily in the South. So far this year, Florida has reported eight cases of the bacteria, with one case each confirmed in Connecticut and Alabama.