Florida has reported the first death of the year caused by an infection from so-called "flesh-eating" bacterium, according to state health officials. Advertisement AdvertisementWhile vibrio vulnificus infections are rare, they can quickly develop into a more serious illness, especially in people who have weakened immune systems. Different types of vibrio bacteria cause different infections, with vibrio vulnificus causing the "most serious forms of vibriosis," according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms of vibrio vulnificus infectionSymptoms of a vibrio vulnificus infection begin suddenly and quickly, usually less than 24 hours after exposure, according to the CDC and the Cleveland Clinic. Contributing: Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY; C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - FloridaThis article originally appeared on USA TODAY: First flesh-eating bacteria death of 2026 recorded in this state