In the beginning of the swimming season in the Baltic Sea, a dangerous threat has emerged that is spoiling the fun for swimmers. Vibrios, which can be particularly harmful to people with open wounds and even lead to death in severe cases, have been discovered in water samples along the coast for the first time this year. The State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lagus) in Rostock reported the first infection of vibrios, with a woman from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania becoming infected after her open wound came into contact with the Ostseewasser while walking on the beach.
The 55-year-old woman has a chronic pre-existing condition, but the infection was detected quickly and is being treated on an outpatient basis. As the water temperature in the Baltic Sea increases by the end of the bathing season, it is expected that vibrios will become more prevalent in Bodden waters and Achterwasser. Vibrios such as Vibrio vulnificus can enter the body through skin injuries while bathing and cause severe wound infections or even fatal sepsis in rare cases. Eating contaminated seafood can also lead to infection.
Initial symptoms of vibrio infection include nausea, diarrhea, fever, and chills. Treatment typically involves antibiotics. Last year there were five reports of vibrio infections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and this year there have been ten so far. To keep swimmers informed about vibrio occurrence during this season, health authorities plan to publish a weekly report based on water samples taken from 500 bathing areas analyzed at their laboratory until its conclusion. More information can be found at www.badewasser-mv.de .
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