Horrifying reality of flesh-eating bacteria that caused Florida mans leg to swell to 8 times its size
A victim of the deadly flesh-eating bacteria that is surging in southern US states is sharing the harrowing details of his ordeal — as well as some stomach-churning photos.Officials along the Gulf Coast in Florida and Louisiana are warning about a rise in cases of Vibrio vulnificus, the deadliest species of Vibrio bacteria, which can cause severe and life-threatening infections resulting.At least 28 cases have been reported this year — but in 2025, Ben West was among those infected.A 38-year-old dad, he is now awaiting amputation of his left leg after he says doctors already “cut the meat, cut the tissue” of his leg to try to preserve it.West was fishing in Port St.
Joe, Florida in late August 2025, and knew enough about the risks to wear tall boots — but that ultimately wasn’t enough to protect him.In fact, those boots rubbed a raw spot around his ankle, he told NewsNation.
That’s where the bacteria took hold.“Benjamin began complaining of serious burning in his foot and ankle and it began to swell terribly,” his wife Janie West wrote on GoFundMe, where she has also shared several photos of his leg throughout the illness.“It was the worst pain he’s ever felt and he kept telling me his leg felt to be on fire.”He underwent six surgeries in attempts to save his leg.
“They go in with a laser, and they cut the meat, cut the tissue out to try to get ahead of the bacteria because there’s nothing to stop,” he said.After some improvement, though, the wounds were reopening and leaving “holes” up and down the infected area.His leg swelled to up to eight time the size of the right one, and he complained of constant burning and aching.
His wife said it felt like “electric shocks” throughout the day.West finally decided to get the leg amputated below the knee, which his wife said will happen this week.This bacteria thrives in coastal waters and can enter the body through an open wound, which is what happened to West.But most people get...