What started as a relaxing day at the beach quickly became a nightmare for Genevieve Gallagher, a 49-year-old mother from Florida.
While enjoying the waters of Quietwater Beach along Santa Rosa Sound on July 27, Gallagher unknowingly contracted a rare but aggressive bacterial infection that would nearly cost her her life—and her leg.
The Infection Creeps In
Gallagher, a mom of one, first noticed something was wrong three days after swimming when her left leg began to swell.
Painful blisters appeared, she started sweating uncontrollably, and her condition deteriorated rapidly.
Emergency responders rushed her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with septic shock and began suffering organ failure.
Her husband, Dana, and their seven-year-old daughter, Mila, were confronted with the terrifying possibility of losing her.
For almost a week, Gallagher was intubated as doctors battled the infection.
Aggressive Surgeries to Combat the Bacteria
The infection, identified as vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria, required multiple surgeries.
In one procedure, muscle from Gallagher’s back was transferred to her leg in an attempt to save her limb.
“It feels like somebody took gasoline, poured it on my leg, and lit it on fire,” Gallagher told the Pensacola News Journal.
“Just looking at my leg, it doesn’t even look like my leg anymore. It looks deformed. The pain is unbelievable.”
Doctors believe the bacteria entered through a small cut on her left leg, even though she had a waterproof bandage in place.
The Dangers of Vibrio
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that vibrio vulnificus can cause severe, life-threatening infections.
Florida health authorities confirmed 23 cases of vibrio in 2025, resulting in five deaths.
The CDC estimates there are roughly 80,000 cases nationwide each year.
Vibrio infections can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and rapidly destroy tissue.
In Gallagher’s case, doctors had to remove most of the tissue on her lower left leg to stop the bacteria from spreading.
“They debrided my leg down to the bare meat. They took most of the muscle, almost down to the bone, basically.
It went up almost to my knee, so it’s a pretty large area,” Gallagher said.
Family Support During Recovery
Gallagher is now recovering at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.
The emotional toll has been intense. She shared a touching moment with her daughter Mila, who saw her in the hospital and said, “I wish this happened to me and not you.”
Gallagher recalled, “That broke my heart.
I was like, ‘Mila, no, I’m so glad it didn’t happen to you. Your little body could not have taken all this.’”
Her husband has been by her side, traveling to the hospital every weekend to support her as she battles the physical and emotional aftermath.
Safety Warnings and Advocacy
The Florida Department of Health emphasizes that “water and wounds do not mix,” advising people not to enter the water with fresh cuts or scrapes.
Vibrio infections can also occur from eating raw or undercooked shellfish.
Gallagher hopes that Pensacola beaches will post signs alerting visitors to the risk of vibrio infections.
She still faces two to three more weeks in the hospital and another surgery.
“It’s been a lot on me and my family. My mental health has just been horrible.
I’ve been strong through it all, but it’s been a lot mentally, emotionally, and physically,” Gallagher said.