Dangerous bacteria that until recently lived in the warm waters of the World Ocean, in particular, in the Gulf of Mexico, have expanded their habitat to the north. The reasons scientists say are climate change and an increase in sea water temperature. Microorganisms Vibrio vulnificus, also called "flesh-eating", prefer warm and salty waters. The rate of their reproduction increases rapidly if the water warms up to + 20 ° and above.
The Baltic Sea is now not inferior to the southern seas in terms of water heating. As a result, Vibrio vulnificus became active, which is confirmed by regular samples of seawater for its presence. The bacteria are present in all samples today. The German Health and Welfare Office warns the population and visitors of the country about the risk of infection, Germania.one reports. There is the first victim - an elderly woman vacationing in the Mecklenburg resort. Several more cases of infection are known.
Typically, people become infected with bacteria in two ways: by eating poorly cooked seafood or by contact of sea water with open wounds (even small cuts) or mucous membranes while swimming. Although most people infected with V. vulnificus develop mild symptoms, some develop life-threatening skin lesions and bleeding. The bacterium can cause necrotizing fasciitis, a rare infection that rapidly destroys skin and muscle tissue (hence the name “flesh-eating”). This can lead to amputation or even death. Among the risk factors are the presence of chronic diseases or weakened immunity.
The risks associated with swimming in the Baltic Sea are not yet considered catastrophic in order to introduce prohibitive measures. Although the number of infected people is increasing every year. Since the beginning of observations in 2003, 52 cases of infection with the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus have been registered in Germany, 8 people have died …