A Florida man, Cason Yeager died while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast earlier this month.

Vibrio vulnificus is a flesh-destroying bacteria that is in the same family of organisms that cause cholera. It normally lives in warm seawater and is part of a group of vibrios that arecalled halophilic" as they require salt.

Although, Yeager died on June 16, his death certificate was not signed until June 23. Now his mother wants warn everyone about the dangers of the bacteria.

According to Florida Department of Health spokeswoman Mara Burge, Yeager's death is Florida's fourth Vibrio vulnificus fatality this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 35 people died of the disease in
2014.

V. vulnificus can cause disease in those who eat contaminated seafood. The bacteria can enter the body through an open wound that is exposed to seawater.

Ingestion of V. vulnificus among healthy peple can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. It can infect the bloodstream, causes a severe and life-threatening illness characterized by fever and chills, decreased blood pressure and blistering skin lesions in persons, particularly those with chronic liver disease.

Man mother, Karen Yeager said, "I'm not telling anyone don't go into the water. Just do your due diligence and make sure that you're not going to harm yourself".

Florida has reported 11 cases and five deaths as of today. Broward and Hillsborough Counties have seen two cases a piece, while Brevard, Duval, Lake, Marion, Pasco, Santa Rosa and St. Lucie counties have witnessed one case each.