JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Health officials confirmed Wednesday that a Jacksonville woman died Aug. 3 after flesh-eating bacteria invaded her body. The Duval County Health Department suspects that Candace Scott contracted the bacteria in the St. Johns River, where she was jet skiing a few days before her death.

Channel 4's Jim Piggott spoke to an official at the health department who offered some advice for those coming into contact with the water.

"Make sure that they wear good footwear if they're standing in the water or fishing or wading around so they don't get puncture wounds on their feet," Dr. Michael Sands said. "Be careful of branches (and) submerged objects. Basically, the idea is not to drink the water from the river, which I don't think any of us particularly want to do, and to avoid getting puncture injuries."

Sands warned that those who have recently been cut or swallowed water while in the river should watch for symptoms. Those include redness or swelling that spreads quickly; skin that feels warm and tender; and severe pain, fever or chills.