2024-08-22 16:22:38
Vibrios in the Baltic Sea can lead to infections of open wounds. In rare cases, this can be fatal. The state office in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is therefore issuing a warning.
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, two people have died in connection with a vibrio infection. As a result, the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lagus) has renewed its warnings for certain risk groups.
People with certain risks, such as chronic underlying illnesses or existing immune deficiencies, and older people are particularly at risk. The Lagus advises: “If bathers belong to these risk groups and have skin injuries, they should avoid contact with sea or brackish water.” This is because the bacteria could then cause serious infections in rare cases.
As Lagus reported, an 81-year-old vacationer died last week after contracting the infection while swimming in the Baltic Sea. The man had various chronic illnesses and open wounds. The second case is a 59-year-old man from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, whose blood was found to contain vibrios. The cause of death was given as sepsis. The exact circumstances surrounding this death are not known.
According to the authority, these are the first deaths related to vibrios in the 2024 bathing season. A total of five vibrios infections have been reported so far this year. The statistical analysis of the Lagus shows a total of 94 cases of infection since 2003. Of these, 13 were fatal. Twelve of the deceased had suffered from relevant pre-existing conditions.