Authorities issue warning after 55-year-old woman contracts deadly bacteria from Baltic Sea

At the start of the bathing season in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, dangerous germs have been discovered in the Baltic Sea that are spoiling the fun of beachgoers. Vibrios, which can be particularly harmful to people with open wounds and even lead to death in severe cases, have been found in water samples taken along the coast for the first time this year. The State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lagus) in Rostock announced the discovery, along with reports of a first infection.

According to Lagus, a woman from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, aged 55, recently became infected with vibrios after her open wound came into contact with the Baltic Sea water while walking on the beach. Thankfully, the infection was detected quickly and is being treated on an outpatient basis. It was noted that the woman had a chronic pre-existing condition, which may have made her more susceptible to the infection.

As the water temperature in the Baltic Sea rises towards the end of the bathing season, an increased occurrence of vibrios is expected in the Bodden waters and in the Achterwasser. Vibrios, specifically Vibrio vulnificus, can enter the body through skin injuries and cause severe wound infections or even fatal sepsis. In some cases, consuming contaminated seafood can also lead to infection, with symptoms including nausea, diarrhea, fever, and chills.

To address the situation, the health department plans to publish a weekly report until the end of the bathing season, providing information on the occurrence of vibrios. Water samples are regularly taken from 500 bathing areas and analyzed in the laboratory to monitor the situation. The public can access this information on the website www.badewasser-mv.de. This monitoring and reporting system aims to ensure the safety of beachgoers and raise awareness about the risks associated with vibrios in the Baltic Sea waters.