Doctors Warn of Chesapeake Bay Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Maryland's 'flesh-eating' bacteria cases more than double as Chesapeake Bay warms

Maryland is seeing a steep climb in vibriosis, an infection caused by naturally occurring bacteria that can spread through contaminated seafood or when open skin is exposed to water. The uptick is drawing renewed attention at the height of swimming, crabbing, and seafood season, when more people encounter warm brackish water. What's happening? According to the Maryland Department of Health, Maryland logged 260 cases of vibriosis in 2025, up from…

Pennsylvania reports 13 Vibriosis cases as health officials urge precautions

Doctors are warning about Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria that thrives in the warm waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries during peak season.

Vibrio vulnificus symptoms to know as cases of deadly ‘flesh-eating bacteria’ rise

Doctors warn of Chesapeake Bay flesh-eating bacteria

Doctors warn Vibrio can cause infection in broken skin, spread fast, kill tissue, cause sepsis, result in amputation or even death.

Doctors warn of very serious Vibrio infection spreading in Chesapeake Bay

Flesh-eating bacteria cases are on the rise this summer in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. According to authorities, 72 people have been treated for a fast-spreading soft tissue infection. Doctors warn Vibrio can cause infection in broken skin, spread fast, kill tissue, cause sepsis, result in amputation or even death. “See my suit. It’s all patched up over the years, and each scrape would open the suit up,” said diver Skip Zinck. Zinck …

A flesh-eating bacterium is on the rise as Chesapeake Bay warms

BALTIMORE — A warming Chesapeake Bay may mean more days of swimming, but it brings a greater threat from a flesh-eating bacterium that thrives as the mercury rises. Last year, the health department reported 11 deaths from Vibrio fulnificus —…