Due to global warming, the temperature of seawater is rising, leading to a rapid increase in microorganisms that pose a threat to human health. Vibrio bacteria, which have spread from the Baltic to the North Sea, are now also being found along the coasts of Turkey. Turkey's Milliyet newspaper reports on this.
Experts emphasize that these harmful organisms, which multiply in warm seawater, can enter the body through open wounds and cause fatal infections.
Urologist Uğur Afrin from Istanbul's Florence Nightingale Hospital urged people swimming in the sea during the summer season to be cautious. He stated:
"Vibrio bacteria thrive in warm and salty water. In particular, its species called Vibrio cholerae can enter the gastrointestinal system through ingestion of contaminated seawater, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration, leading to cholera. Although cholera cases are rare in Turkey, the risk cannot be entirely ruled out," he said.
Afrin noted that species like Vibrio vulnificus can cause tissue infections when they come into contact with the skin and, in some cases, lead to life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing fasciitis, also known as the "flesh-eating bacteria."
The doctor also warned about consuming seafood with caution:
"Vibrio parahaemolyticus, transmitted through raw shellfish like oysters, can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. In immunocompromised individuals, this infection can spread through the bloodstream, potentially leading to sepsis," he said.
According to the World Health Organization, most people infected with the Vibrio cholera bacteria experience no symptoms. However, the bacteria continue to be excreted in feces for one to ten days.
Symptoms of the disease usually appear within 12 hours to five days after the bacteria enter the body. In most cases, the symptoms are mild to moderate. However, in some cases, the illness can manifest as severe diarrhea and life-threatening dehydration.
Doctors recommend the following precautions to protect against these bacteria: showering after swimming in the sea, avoiding staying in wet swimwear for long periods, covering open wounds with waterproof bandages or avoiding the beach in such conditions, refraining from consuming raw seafood, and not delaying the urge to urinate.
