A 'flesh-eating' bacteria is rapidly multiplying in the Black Sea, and tourists on Romania's beaches can also get infected

A dangerous "flesh-eating" bacteria, Vibrio, is rapidly multiplying in the Black Sea, posing a risk to swimmers along Romania's coastlines. These bacteria utilize a combination of toxins and enzymes that destroy human tissues, with climate change identified as a primary driver of their spread.

A recent case in Florida, where a 17-year-old contracted a severe Vibrio vulnificus infection after swimming, highlights the potential dangers. This type of bacteria is not unfamiliar to European shores, including the Black Sea, affecting countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Ukraine. Vibriosis, a seasonal infection common in warmer months, can become life-threatening, especially for those with compromised immune systems.

The link between Vibrio infections and climate change is strong, as the bacteria thrive in warm waters, particularly when salinity levels are low. Rising sea temperatures, exacerbated by global warming, are creating increasingly frequent favorable conditions for Vibrio in various European waters, including the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea. Health agencies like the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have warned of elevated risks during prolonged heatwaves.

Vibrio infections can manifest in severe forms, including necrotizing fasciitis (tissue death around an open wound) and, in rarer cases of Vibrio vulnificus, life-threatening illnesses requiring intensive care or amputation. While most infections occur through consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, ingesting contaminated water during swimming is also a transmission route. The bacteria are found in coastal waters, especially during warmer periods.