Thursday, March 23, 2023

Deadly waterborne bacteria are surging because of climate change

Plus more health news |

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What to know about the bacteria that's expanding through U.S. beaches
By Alice Park
Senior Health Correspondent

All the talk about the dangers of warming temperatures isn’t just theoretical hand-wringing. In research published today, scientists document the slow increase in infections among Americans from Vibrio vulnificus, a deadly bacterium that lives in warm sea or brackish waters. They predict that cases will rise as the climate continues to get warmer.

Vibrio vulnificus is extremely sensitive to temperature changes and flourishes in salty waters above 68°F. Using 30-year data on infections from the bacteria reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the researchers found the following:

  • Vibrio vulnificus is expanding from its historic Gulf coast range, with more northern states reporting infections as waters become warmer.
  • Based on the latest data on how much the world’s water and air temperatures will rise, the scientists predict that by 2081, Vibrio vulnificus infections could reach every state along the U.S. east coast.
  • To alert people to the growing threat, more monitoring systems are needed to track when concentrations of bacteria start to rise, similar to pollen and pollution alerts.

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AN EXPERT VOICE

"In a few years, I would not be surprised if we see bivalent vaccines or a monoclonal antibody that works against [multiple respiratory viruses]. Older adults or young kids could get their winter vaccine."

—Dr. John Williams, chief of infectious diseases at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

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Today's newsletter was written by Alice Park and Jamie Ducharme, and edited by Angela Haupt.

 
 
 
 
 
 

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