Vibrio bacteria spread prompts beach closures in Europe

Increasing sea temperatures are fostering rapid expansion of Vibrio bacteria, including V. vulnificus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae, in warm, brackish coastal waters across Europe. The surge has led health authorities to close several beaches in Spain and issue alerts for popular resorts on the Mediterranean, Baltic and Black Seas. Infections can arise from eating raw or under‑cooked shellfish—especially oysters—or from open wounds that contact contaminated water, potentially causing severe illness, sepsis and, in extreme cases, amputation; mortality rates for high‑risk patients can reach 20‑50 %. Experts at the European Food Safety Authority attribute the rise to climate‑driven warming and reduced salinity, and warn of growing antibiotic resistance. Tourists are advised to avoid raw seafood, keep wounds covered, and follow local health notices.