As of: February 11, 2024, 6:16 a.m
By: Julia Hanigk
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Climate change is changing habitats, including for bacteria.
Vibrios in the water of the Baltic Sea can have fatal consequences.
Bremen - Let the wind blow around your nose in a beach chair on the Baltic Sea and jump into the cool water - that's probably how some people imagine their summer vacation.
Not only are storm surges and floods increasing due to climate change, the water itself can also become a danger.
So-called vibrio bacteria and acidic water are becoming more and more common and are threatening a relaxing beach holiday in Germany.
Beware of bacteria: vibrios in the water near the coast
The changes in water can be attributed to climate change.
According to the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, sea levels rose in 100 years (1918–2018).
by 20 centimeters – analogous to the global increase.
The reasons for this are, on the one hand, global warming, as warm water spreads more, and on the other hand, the melting ice reserves.
This means that the circumstances for living beings in and around water are changing - and the conditions for bacteria are also changing.
Warm water can absorb less oxygen and thus pushes fish out of their habitat.
At the same time, the seas are becoming more and more acidic because they are absorbing more and more CO2 from the air.
This pushes other living beings out of their natural habitat - they are no longer used as pollutant filters and food.
More new bacteria find ideal conditions to multiply.
This is especially true in summer.
If you want to take a bath, you should be particularly careful about bacteria of the “Vibrio” genus.
What are vibrios?
According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, the rod-shaped, salt-tolerant bacteria called vibrios can be found in marine waters and estuaries around the world.
They are the main cause of bacterial diarrhea in many Asian and American countries.
Vibrio infection can be fatal
Like the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
informed, vibrios can penetrate the human body through small, unnoticed wounds.
Wound infections are often the result, which can lead to complications such as blood poisoning (sepsis).
But fish and seafood from affected regions also have the vibrios in their bodies, so the microorganisms can also be ingested through meals containing raw or insufficiently heated fish.
Anyone who becomes infected with the bacteria is initially at risk of diarrhea.
In older people and people with immune deficiency or previous illnesses, a vibrio infection can even be fatal.
The State Office for Health and Social Affairs only reported a death on the Baltic Sea in September 2023.
Due to the low salt content of the water in the Baltic Sea, the vibrios can spread better there than in the North Sea.
There are increasing warnings about vibrios on the Baltic Sea.
(Symbolic image) © Stefan Sauer/dpa
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Vibrio diseases must be reported – and will probably increase
Between 2022 and 2019, the RKI reported up to 20 Vibrio infections on German coasts every year, which occurred mainly from June to September.
Scientists expect an increasing trend due to climate change.
Since 2020 there has also been a requirement to report Vibrio infections.
The current threat situation can be viewed at any time via a live world map from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
The increased number of pathogens in the summer months of last year (2023) can be seen there.
Scientists expect that similar situations will occur more and more near the coast in the future.
According to the Federal Office for Risk Assessment, global warming with the associated increased water temperatures could lead to an increased concentration of vibrios.
Monitoring the beaches is the responsibility of the local authorities.
Anyone who belongs to the risk group should inform themselves in advance and avoid swimming in polluted areas.
(jh)