Florida health officials say five people have died from Vibrio vulnificus, a so-called flesh-eating bacteria, with 16 cases reported in the state as of last Thursday. CBS News correspondent Cristian Benavides spoke with a microbiologist about the danger the bacteria poses.

Florida

Florida's health department has confirmed five deaths and a total of 16 cases linked to Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria commonly referred to as 'flesh-eating.' The bacteria is known for its rapid growth, with infections potentially progressing from minor symptoms to severe, open wounds within 24 hours.

Infection can occur through open wounds exposed to warm ocean water or by consuming uncooked seafood such as oysters. While severe cases are rare, individuals with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions are at greater risk. Health officials recommend seeking medical attention if symptoms such as redness, fever, or chills develop after exposure.

Flesh-eating bacteria cases on the rise in Florida, five deaths reported

To Florida now, where the state's health department says five people have now died from a so-called flesh-eating bacteria. 16 cases in total have been reported in the Sunshine State as of last Thursday. CBS News correspondent Christian Benavides spoke with a microbiologist about the severe danger this bacteria poses. How quickly does it spread? Oh, how quickly does it spread? So one of the things about Vibrio vulnificus is that it can double its numbers in about 20 minutes. So it's a really fast-growing bacteria. So if you get an infection, a wound infection, then that infection can go from a little red pinprick on your leg or your hand to a full-blown infection with an open wound in 24 hours. And Christian joins us now. I mean, this is certainly alarming to hear about, Christian. How does someone become infected with this kind of bacteria? Nancy, and not to scare anyone, but this is a bacteria that is commonly found in warm ocean water. However, it is rare for an infection to become severe. There are two ways that you can develop Vibrio vulnificus or come into contact with this bacteria. The first way is if you have some sort of cut in your body and then you're wading through water or you're swimming out in ocean water and that bacteria comes into contact with that open wound, that is one way. The second way is if you're eating uncooked seafood, something such as oysters, which are known carriers of this. And again, this is a fast-moving bacteria. That microbiologist that I spoke to said that essentially this can go from infection to death within 48 hours if you do not get treatment. I mean, anytime you hear flesh eating, you're certainly alarmed just by that alone, but 48 hours is quite quick turnaround. Who is most susceptible to this type of illness? Are some people at greater risk than others? Yes, and that's the important part, that those who are susceptible to this, because as I mentioned, this bacteria is actually quite common in warm ocean waters, but if you're immunocompromised, let's say that you have kidney disease, liver disease, or heart disease, and you have a cut and you're out swimming in the water or you come into contact with water and then you notice that it starts to turn red, you start getting feverish, that is about the time that you should alert someone and let a medical professional know that. In fact, some people who may be young and healthy may eat oysters. They may think that they have a foodborne illness, but it might actually be from Vibrio vulnificus, but they just never know because they go through it. They go through the motions and get through it. But if you start to feel feverish, if you start to get chills and you're immunocompromised, it's likely something you wanna speak with a medical professional about. Yeah, maybe stay away from those oysters in the meantime. Cristian Benavides, thank you very much for that report.

The National Guard has started to patrol the streets of Washington after U.S. President Donald Trump declared a crime emergency. He’s also ordered troops to clear out all homeless encampments by the end of the week.

Washington

National Guard starts patrolling Washington

Record-high temperatures across Europe are fanning wildfires across the continent. Experts say a warming climate and an increase in flammable vegetation from rural depopulation are major factors.

Madrid

Historic heat fuels fires across Europe

Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán said the EU attempts to set conditions for a meeting to which leaders of the EU were not invited. He also called for an EU-Russia summit.

Brussels

Ukraine Invasion

EU leaders rally behind Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin talks

President Trump said Monday he expects that Russia and Ukraine will "land swap" certain territories as part of an eventual ceasefire deal. Mr. Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

Trump claims 'land swapping' between Russia, Ukraine will happen

Taylor Swift confirmed her 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," in a teaser for her upcoming appearance on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast. Swift did not disclose the release date of the album.

Taylor Swift announces new album, 'The Life of a Showgirl'

U.S. President Donald Trump said that his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday will be to "feel out" the leader as pressure mounts for Russia and Ukraine to make a peace deal.

Trump to meet with Putin in Alaska on Friday

A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to take place in Alaska, with European leaders notably excluded from the talks. Until Europe can defend itself, it's not likely to be invited to a great power dialogue, experts have told Euronews.

Alaska

Europe frozen out as U.S. and Russia prepare for Alaska talks

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Kyiv and Moscow will both have to cede land to end the war in Ukraine and talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week will instantly show whether the Kremlin leader is willing to make a deal.

Trump says both sides in Ukraine war will need to cede territory

A prominent Al Jazeera journalist, who had previously been threatened by Israel, was killed along with four colleagues and another journalist in an Israeli airstrike in an attack condemned by journalists and rights groups.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli strike kills Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza

At last one person is dead, dozens are injured and two people are unaccounted for after an explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton plant in Pennsylvania on Monday.

Clairton

At least 1 dead, dozens injured in U.S. Steel plant explosion

President Donald Trump has placed the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control and announced he's activating the National Guard to combat crime in Washington, D.C.

Trump deploying National Guard to Washington, D.C.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is thanking European leaders for backing his push to join this week's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, insisting an end to the war must be fair.

Trump and Putin set to meet on Friday without Zelenskyy

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Kyiv and its allies fear being sidelined and worry any deal could reward Moscow’s occupation of Ukrainian territory.

Kyiv

Ukraine fights for a seat at the table ahead of Trump-Putin summit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is defending his decision to keep fighting in Gaza, despite protests at home and abroad. Debora Patta has the latest.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Netanyahu defends plan to expand war in Gaza

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is thanking European leaders for backing his push to join this week's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, insisting an end to the war must be fair. Willie James Inman has more from the White House.

Anchorage

Countdown begins to Trump-Putin meeting, without Zelenskyy

Violent weather hit several Midwest states over the weekend, with high winds being blamed for the death of at least one person in Nebraska and flash flooding prompting a state of emergency in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee inundated with floodwaters, one dead in Nebraska

Thirty-seven major wildfires are currently burning across nine states in the western United States. Firefighters have made significant progress on the Canyon Fire in California, achieving 62% containment and allowing over 4,000 residents to return home, with minimal property loss reported.

Major fires continue to burn across western U.S.

President Donald Trump's envoy met with the Qatari prime minister on Saturday in Spain to discuss possible deals to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as Israel's military plans to expand into Gaza City. Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages and Palestinians alike are pleading for peace.

Families of Israeli hostages, Palestinians plead for ceasefire

Renewed anti-government protests have taken place in Israel, where relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas demanded their release and an end to the brutal war Israel has been waging in Gaza.

Israeli anti-government protesters take to the streets in Tel Aviv

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Kyiv "values and fully supports" a joint statement by European leaders that welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to try to end the war, while emphasizing the need to pressure Russia and provide security guarantees for Kyiv.

Europe stresses need to protect Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin meet

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has firmly rejected Russia’s proposal requiring land concessions to end the war. Ukrainian and European officials have submitted a counterproposal to Washington.

Ukraine, Europe counter Russian ceasefire proposal ahead of US talks

There have been more protests, and counter protests, in several British towns and cities, outside of hotels used to accommodate asylum seekers. Some far-right protesters called for one of the hotels to stop housing migrants.

Bournemouth

UK: Anti-immigration & anti-racism protesters face off

A man who opened fire on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, firing into the complex from a pharmacy and killing a police officer, blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal, according to reports.

Atlanta

Vaccine conspiracy could be behind Atlanta shooting

The Gifford Fire burning through the rugged backcountry of California's Central Coast is now the state's largest wildfire of the year. It has reached so-called "mega-fire" status and is one of 38 large fires burning across nine states.

San Luis Obispo

Largest California wildfire of 2025 reaches "mega fire" status

President Trump is preparing to take another swing at a deal with President Putin during a high-stakes summit next Friday in Anchorage, Alaska. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the country will never give up land, even if it means an end to the war.

Trump: Ukraine must cede land for ceasefire; Zelenskyy refuses

The United Nations Security Council is set to hold a rare Sunday meeting to discuss Israel's plan to intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking control of Gaza City. CBS News' Debora Patta reports on the conflict and the mounting humanitarian crisis.

Netanyahu's plan to occupy Gaza comes under fire

At least 200 protesters have been arrested at a rally showing solidarity for Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Parliament in London. Crowds are also demonstrating against a ban on the Palestine Action group, after it was designated as a terrorist organisation.

Breakdown