Tourists who vacationed in Turkey this summer have begun to experience symptoms of poisoning after swimming in the sea - often affecting entire families, and sometimes the complaints are in entire hotels, reports cyprus-faq.
A possible infection caused by bacteria of the genus Vibrio - a broad class of gram-negative microorganisms that inhabit salt and brackish waters - is being discussed on social networks and in the Turkish media. Their habitats include the waters of the Mediterranean, Aegean and Marmara Seas, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and the waters of Southeast Asia.
The most dangerous Vibrio species that have been detected in Turkey include:
Vibrio cholerae - the causative agent of cholera;
Vibrio vulnificus - especially dangerous for people with skin injuries, as it can cause rapid destruction of soft tissues, necrosis and sepsis;
Vibrio parahaemolyticus - often causes food poisoning from raw or poorly cooked seafood, leading to acute gastrointestinal disorders;
Vibrio alginolyticus - capable of causing wound infections and otitis.
Cholera has been a serious problem in Bulgaria six times. The last case of cholera in the country was registered in 1921.
Pathways of transmission of the virus to humans:
- consumption of undercooked seafood;
- contact of water with open wounds, scratches, cuts or bites on the skin.
High-risk groups include people with weakened immune systems. Areas with frequent visits to medical facilities are Alanya and Belek. Tourists reported that just a few hours after swimming they suffered from vomiting, severe weakness and body temperatures above 38°C.
The symptoms subsided only after intravenous rehydration, and queues at private clinics and emergency rooms along the Turkish coast became noticeable.
At the same time, Turkish urologist Ugur Aferin (Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul) warned that DNA of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus had been found on the coasts of the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.
These microorganisms multiply in warm, salty water. The doctor noted a particular risk of contact with seawater through open wounds, which can lead to life-threatening infections, including necrotizing fasciitis - the so-called "flesh-eating" form of the disease.
It is also noted that the risk of infection is higher when consuming raw oysters or other seafood. In people with weakened immunity, such infections can progress to sepsis and even become fatal.
However, some experts assess the risks as minimal. Some experts argue that reports of “new dangerous bacteria“ are greatly exaggerated: Vibrio parahaemolyticus and vulnificus are common marine microorganisms, seasonal and appear every year when the water temperature rises above +20°C.
They do not cause cholera - the disease or fatal consequences are unlikely, especially if simple rules are followed: avoid raw seafood and do not swim with open wounds.
Other sources confirm that the Turkish authorities have not registered mass infections among tourists, and cases of the disease remain extremely rare.