Tourists heading to Turkey are being warned about the detection of two dangerous bacteria, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus, along the country`s coastal waters. These microorganisms, related to the cholera pathogen, can enter the human body not only through contaminated food but also via open wounds.
According to the Turkish publication Milliyet, Dr. Uğur Aferin of an Istanbul hospital emphasized that infection with these bacteria can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration. Vibrio bacteria thrive and multiply in warm seawater and have been found along the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean Sea coastlines.
Furthermore, these bacteria can be present in seafood, especially shellfish like oysters. Consuming contaminated seafood may lead to abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. For individuals with weakened immune systems, there is an increased risk of the infection spreading into the bloodstream, leading to sepsis. In particularly rare and severe cases, necrotizing fasciitis, a potentially fatal condition, may develop.
Previously, in June, epidemiologist and Russian Academy of Sciences academic Gennady Onishchenko had expressed concerns about the prevalence of the Coxsackie virus in Turkey during the summer, particularly among children, and advised against travel. However, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia dismissed this information as unconfirmed rumors at the time.
