Health officials on Thursday, August 13, 2026, issued a travel warning for the warm coastal waters of New Jersey and a neighboring state after a rare flesh‑eating bacterial infection was linked to seven recent deaths.
The advisory urges residents and visitors to avoid swimming, wading, or any direct contact with the water until further notice, and to seek immediate medical attention if they develop unexplained skin lesions after exposure.
The bacterium, identified as a rare strain capable of causing necrotizing soft‑tissue infections, thrives in warm, brackish environments and can enter the body through small cuts or abrasions.
Officials stressed that the risk, while limited to the affected coastal zones, warrants caution because the infection progresses quickly and can be fatal without prompt treatment.
The warning covers two states, with all seven fatalities occurring within the combined region, prompting a coordinated response from state health departments and local emergency services.
Occurrences of this type of infection are uncommon in the United States, and the current cluster represents an unusual concentration of cases in a short period.
Water testing will focus on bacterial counts and temperature, factors known to influence the organism’s growth, as authorities monitor the situation closely.
Local agencies are posting signage at popular beaches and informing lifeguard stations of the advisory to help keep the public informed.
Public health agencies will continue surveillance of water quality and will release updated guidance as more information becomes available, urging anyone with questions to contact their local health department.