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Vibrio bacteria: How to swim in European waters and survive

12 34
21.07.2025

Scientists attribute a lot to climate change these days — with some things being easier to prove than others.

When it comes to Vibrio bacterial infections, there appears to be a strong link — because Vibrio bacteria thrive in warm waters, especially when salt levels are low.

And in the Baltic Sea, sea surface temperatures are indeed going up, while salinity levels are going down, which researchers have linked to the effects of climate change.

As sea temperatures rise, so do the numbers of Vibrio infections in Nordic countries bordering the Baltic Sea.

Vibrio infections remain relatively rare, but health agencies like the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control warn of increased risks of Vibrio infections during summers with extended heatwaves.

Vibrio bacteria cause vibriosis and cholera. For the purpose of this article, we are focusing on vibriosis, which is sometimes referred to as vibriosis (non-cholera).

Vibriosis is an infection that can become serious and life-threatening, especially among people with weakened immune systems.

The main types of Vibrio bacteria that cause human infection are Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio alginolyticus, but there are at least a dozen types.

Some Vibrio infections can lead to the death of........

© Deutsche Welle