TALLAHASSEE, Fla., July 29 (UPI) -- A flesh eating bacterium called Vibrio vulnificus has infected at least 11 Floridians so far this year, killing two. Florida officials are warning beach-goers that the bacterium, which thrives in warm salt water, can infect swimmers via open cuts and scrapes.
The bacterium in naturally occuring in ocean water, and has infected people in other states, including Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. It killed 11 Floridians in 2011.