Teen fights flesh-eating bacteria he got while swimming at park with siblings
Joziah Thompson, 17, was hospitalized after a minor scratch from swimming turned into a *Vibrio vulnificus* infection requiring multiple surgeries. He was sent home a week after treatment. Florida health officials report eight confirmed cases of the bacteria this year. Visitors continue to raise concerns about public warnings in coastal waters.
What changed
New details confirm Thompson underwent emergency surgeries and was discharged, contradicting earlier reports of life-threatening critical condition.
Live updates
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Florida teen released after emergency surgeries for flesh-eating bacteria from park swim
confidence 95%Joziah Thompson, 17, was hospitalized after a minor scratch from swimming turned into a *Vibrio vulnificus* infection requiring multiple surgeries. He was sent home a week after treatment. Florida health officials report eight confirmed cases of the bacteria this year. Visitors continue to raise concerns about public warnings in coastal waters.
What's confirmed:
- Joziah Thompson, 17, initially suffered a minor scratch on his leg after swimming at a park in Niceville, Florida, which later developed into a severe *Vibrio vulnificus* infection.
- Thompson required multiple emergency surgeries to remove infected tissue before being released from the hospital a week later.
- Florida health officials have reported eight confirmed cases of *Vibrio vulnificus* infections in coastal waters this year.
- The bacteria is naturally found in warm coastal waters, particularly where freshwater and saltwater mix.
Still unconfirmed:
- Thompson’s condition was previously described as life-threatening, with potential amputation risks, but this has not been confirmed in updated reports.
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Florida teen hospitalized after flesh-eating bacteria infection from park swim
confidence 95%A 17-year-old boy is hospitalized in critical condition after contracting *Vibrio vulnificus*—a flesh-eating bacteria—through a minor scratch sustained while swimming at a Florida park. Florida health officials report eight confirmed cases of the bacteria this year, with infections rising in coastal waters. The teen’s condition remains life-threatening, with potential amputation risks. Local visitors are now demanding clearer public warnings about bacterial risks in swimming areas.
What's confirmed:
- A 17-year-old boy was hospitalized after contracting *Vibrio vulnificus* through a minor leg scratch while swimming at a Florida park with siblings.
- Florida health authorities have recorded up to eight confirmed cases of *Vibrio vulnificus* infections in 2026.
- The teen’s infection is severe enough to pose a risk of amputation and may require intensive medical intervention.
- Local residents and visitors near Pensacola Beach are pushing for increased public warnings about bacterial risks in swimming waters.
- The bacteria is naturally occurring in warm coastal waters, particularly during summer months.
Still unconfirmed:
- The teen’s infection may have originated from a specific luxury vacation destination area, though the exact location beyond Niceville remains unconfirmed.
- Amputation has not yet been confirmed as a definitive medical outcome for the teen.