Claims of a “Super Chlamydia” outbreak in St. Barts have been circulating widely on social media, prompting online debate after television personality Bethenny Frankel disclosed that she suffered a bacterial infection while holidaying on the island.

The allegation originated from a TikTok user who said he works on a yacht in St. Barts and claimed that a sexually transmitted infection was spreading rapidly among visitors and crew. According to the video, the infection allegedly moved “from yacht to yacht”, with an unnamed influencer described as “Patient Zero”. The identity of the individual has not been disclosed, although the TikToker claimed people on the island were aware of who it was.

Separately, Bethenny Frankel revealed that she and her daughter, Bryn, developed a bacterial infection on their faces during a Christmas holiday in St. Barths. Frankel shared photographs from the trip on Instagram, featuring Alix Earle, Glen Powell and Lauren Sanchez Bezos, and explained that she left the island early because of the infection.

In follow-up TikTok posts, Frankel shared close-up images of her skin and said they departed three days earlier than planned. She later updated followers, stating that her condition was improving after taking strong antibiotics and that the bumps were filled with pus.

Frankel said they stayed in a “nice hotel” and speculated that the infection may have come from pillowcases, towels or bedsheets. While some online users linked her experience to the circulating claims, many defended her, noting that similar skin infections can occur when travelling in humid tropical climates.