The headlines about the "flesh-eating" bacteria that waits for you at the beach are over-hyped. 
 
 "There's a few misnomers," said Ryan Mims, public information officer for the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County. "Those headlines cause a lot of panic, but if you're a healthy individual and practice good hygiene there's a low risk of you contracting vibrio vulnificus." 
 
 
 
 Here's the facts about vibrio: 
 
 First, what is vibrio vulnificus? 
 
 
 
 Vibrio Vulnificus, or vibrio, is a bacterium that is normally found in warm saltwater. Coastlines throughout the U.S. can be a host for vibrio. There's two ways to contract vibrio, said Mims. First, by entering saltwater with open wounds and second, by ingesting undercooked shellfish and oysters. So far this year, Santa Rosa County has had one case of vibrio. Walton and Okaloosa County have not any cases. 
 
 How do I know if I have vibrio? 
 
 
 
 According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of vibrio is acute illness, which can begin one to three days after exposure or as late as seven days in a small percentage of cases. If exposed by an open wound, you may see increased swelling, redness and pain at the site of the wound. You may also notice swelling and redness on arms and legs with blood-tinged blisters and low blood pressure or shock. 
 
 
 
 "It's not a flesh-eating bacteria," Mims said. 
 
 
 
 There is a chance of amputation in severe cases, but if treated in a timely and effective manner , those who recover should see no long-term effects, Mims added. 
 
 How do I prevent vibrio? 
 
 
 
 Don't immediately fret if you get a paper cut at the beach. Vibrio is preventable. 
 
 
 
 "It can be a serious disease and even lead to death, but if you take proper care, your risk should be minimal," said Dr. Carina Blackmore, deputy state epidemiologist in a video on the DOH-Okaloosa website. 
 
 
 
 With that being said, those with underlying health conditions and compromised immune deficiencies, especially those with chronic liver disease, have a higher risk of contracting vibro, said Blackmore. Perform first aid before wounds become infected and keep wounds covered with dry, clean bandages. And cook your shellfish thoroughly. Oysters can also be carriers if the bacteria is present in their environment, but can only legally be harvested in from waters free from contamination. 
 
 Safety and oysters 
 
 Follow these tips from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when cooking at home for safe meals 
 
 - When you purchase oysters the shells should be closed. Throw away any oysters with shells already opened. 
 
 - In the shell: After the shells open, boil live oysters for another 3-5 minutes. (Use small pots to boil or steam oysters. Do not cook too many oysters in the same pot because the ones in the middle may not get fully cooked. Discard any oysters that do not open during cooking). 
 
 - In a steamer: Add oysters to water that is already steaming and cook live oysters for another 4-9 minutes. 
 
 Shucked Oysters: 
 
 
 
 - Boil or simmer shucked oysters for at least 3 minutes or until the edges curl. 
 
 
 
 - Fry at 375 degrees for at least 3 minutes. 
 
 
 
 - Broil 3 inches from heat for 3 minutes. 
 
 
 
 - Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. 
 
 Contact Daily News Staff Writer Jennie McKeon at 850-315-4432 or jmckeon@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennieMnwfdn. ||||| Hillsborough County man dies of 'flesh-eating' bacteria infection Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 6:41 AM EDT Updated: Wednesday, August 19, 2015 6:41 AM EDT 
 
 A man from Hillsborough County has died of a bacterial infection that he contracted through saltwater, but he didn't get it in Florida. 
 
 The man was said to be on vacation in Mississippi when he came in contact with the bacteria. 
 
 Records show he's the third Floridian to die of the rare Vibrio vulnificus infection so far in 2015. The news comes not long after health officials issued a warning for the bacteria in the state of Florida. 
 
 It's found in raw oysters and warm, brackish seawater, and is often called flesh-eating bacteria because it can break-down skin and create blistering ulcers, but that term is not correct. 
 
 To avoid coming in contact with the bacteria, health experts advise staying away from raw shellfish and oysters, and staying out of the water with an open wound, fresh cuts or scrapes. 
 
 They also urge people with compromised immune systems to steer clear of the water, and to wear proper footwear to avoid cuts on rocks and shells found at the beach.
– At least three people in Florida have now died from a nasty warm-water bacteria called vibrio vulnificus this year, but the latest case should put people outside of Florida on alert, too. That's because the victim contracted it while on vacation in Mississippi, reports Tampa's Fox 13. Florida officials have warned people not to go swimming in the ocean with open wounds, even small cuts, and they also note that eating raw shellfish can trigger an infection. Those unfortunate enough to get one—Florida saw 32 cases last year—can expect swelling, redness, and skin ulcers, but a Florida health official notes that vibrio is "not a flesh-eating bacteria," reports NWF Daily News. Meanwhile, WTSP talks to the mother of an apparent fourth victim, a 26-year-old man who she says got vibrio after swimming near Hernando County's Pine Island Beach. "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," says Karen Yeager. (A woman on a "mud run" lost vision in one eye from an infection.)