‘Loving Family Man’ Left Fighting for His Life After Getting Infected by Flesh-Eating Bacteria on Florida Fishing Trip

A Florida man is fighting for his life after being infected with a dangerous flesh-eating bacteria during a family fishing trip.

Ben West, 38, became sick with Vibrio vulnificus while crabbing and fishing for mullet in Port St. Joe on Aug. 23, according to a GoFundMe page and an interview his family gave to local station WJHG.

The Cleveland Clinic explains that Vibrio vulnificus is a bacteria that can cause deadly infections. People can get it from eating raw or undercooked shellfish, or if seawater enters an open wound. Symptoms appear quickly and may include fever, low blood pressure, and painful blisters.

West’s fiancée, Janie Knowles, wrote on the fundraiser page that he began complaining of “serious burning in his foot and ankle,” which swelled severely. “It was the worst pain he’s ever felt,” she said.

Two days later, West went to the hospital but was misdiagnosed with cellulitis. He was sent home with antibiotics, but they caused a reaction and his skin began to blister.

“There were blisters everywhere,” Knowles told WJHG. “They were bursting, it was swelling, you couldn’t recognize his leg compared to the other one. It was four times bigger.”

His father, Keith West, said the most difficult part has been watching him helpless in the hospital bed, unsure if he will survive or even keep his leg.

According to the GoFundMe page, West’s condition worsened quickly, and he was moved to Bay Medical in Panama City. “We never would have believed he would be on death’s doorstep, on a ventilator, and possibly losing his entire left leg,” Knowles wrote.

Knowles also said his kidneys and liver began to fail. However, in a later update on Aug. 29, she shared that doctors believed his kidneys were starting to improve.

“I was blank, everything was happening so fast. I was terrified. I remember fainting, but when I came back, I was on my knees begging God not to take him,” Knowles told WJHG. She described West as a loving father who has been fighting hard to survive.

West has already undergone two surgeries to remove infected tissue. Updates on GoFundMe said the bacteria did not spread into his muscle, which was encouraging news. However, his lower leg was still badly damaged, and more surgeries are expected.

After another surgery on Aug. 29, doctors felt confident the infection had stopped progressing. Knowles wrote that while some skin may die and require grafts, the focus now is on healing. West’s next surgery is scheduled for Sept. 2.

The fundraiser has collected over $16,000 of its $20,000 goal to help cover medical expenses.

On Aug. 28, the Florida Department of Health in Bay County issued a warning about a recent sewage spill in Port St. Joe. Officials said the contamination could have increased bacteria levels in the water and urged residents to avoid swimming in the area until it is safe.