A group of bacteria, known as Vibrio, has been discovered in Chesapeake Bay waters off the coast of Maryland. The bacteria are found naturally in coastal environments around the world and can cause serious illnesses such as diarrhea, cramping, and nausea, or even flesh-eating infections that can be fatal.
Vibrio live in water, sediment, and on plastics, and colonize shellfish, fish, and zooplankton. While they can be harmless to some organisms, others are beneficial. The bacteria also recycle nutrients like carbon and nitrogen by breaking down organic material. However, climate change is altering their habitat, causing them to spread northward.
Warmer waters allow Vibrio species to multiply more rapidly, especially during storms and heavy rainfall when nutrient levels increase. This creates ideal conditions for their growth. As a result, cases of vibriosis are increasing along the Eastern Seaboard, in northern Europe, and even as far north as Alaska and Finland.
The expansion of Vibrio’s favorable habitat, combined with warmer waters, poses a significant risk to people who come into contact with contaminated water. This includes surfers with scraped knees or those who accidentally swallow water, potentially leading to serious illness.
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/vibrio-bacteria-in-beach-water-can-make-you-seriously-ill