Flukes in the Pucher Meer: Bathers report rashes and itching

Created: 2022-06-28Updated: 2022-06-28 2:38 p.m

By: Thomas Steinhardt

Geese and ducks release the cercaria via feces in the water.

© example photo: Stefan Schuhbauer-von Jena

They do not pose a real health hazard, but contact with them is certainly unpleasant: cases of skin rashes have been found in Bruck, which may have been caused by flukes (cercariae).

Fürstenfeldbruck – Two citizens have reported to the Fürstenfeldbruck health department about possible bathing dermatitis caused by cercaria.

The district office confirmed this on Tuesday afternoon on request.

The affected bathers were in the nudist area of ​​the Pucher Meer.

In addition, the city of Fürstenfeldbruck reported a citizen in the same context.

The health department emphasizes: "It does not seem to be a mass phenomenon at the moment, it is

a serious health hazard."

Puch Meer: City can put up signs

The health department has informed the city that it can decide independently whether to put up signs.

(

FFB newsletter.)

The responsible state office explains the background to cercaria-related swimmer's dermatitis.

Accordingly, this is a regularly occurring biological phenomenon at bathing spots that are also visited by ducks and other waterfowl.

A skin reaction with an itchy rash often occurs after bathing in the area of ​​the swimwear worn.

According to the LGL, you shouldn't stay longer in shallow water zones with a reed belt and limit yourself to swimming in deeper areas.

Pucher Meer: It's better to dry off quickly

Cercaria are sensitive to dehydration, so it is advisable to take off wet swimwear immediately and "to rub off the body quickly and thoroughly with a towel if possible".

If swimmer's dermatitis does occur, a general practitioner or dermatologist can help.

According to the LGL, cercariae are specific larval stages of flukes that live in ducks and other waterfowl.

The eggs of the flukes get into the water with the faeces, where larvae hatch within a short time and multiply quickly in freshwater snails (intermediate host).

At higher water temperatures, the cercaria leave the water snail and actively penetrate the definitive host, i.e. ducks and waterfowl, according to the LGL.

Pucher Meer: Cercaria bore into the skin

It can happen that the cercaria also bore into the human skin as a so-called false host and trigger swimmer's dermatitis.

Reddened spots, even wheals and severe itching can appear just three to ten minutes after you start bathing.

Since humans are false hosts, the cercaria are already killed in the subcutaneous connective tissue and cannot penetrate deeper.

Apart from the annoying and sometimes unbearable itching and the possible skin infections caused by increased scratching, no serious health consequences are to be feared, according to the LGL.

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You can find more current news from the district of Fürstenfeldbruck at Merkur.de/Fürstenfeldbruck.