The intense heat wave that Europe is witnessing has led to a rise in sea water temperatures, causing an unusual early spread of Vibrio bacteria, which threatens human health this year.

Health experts, especially in tourist areas, have warned of the dangers of this bacteria that can appear in sea water and at river mouths, calling on swimmers to be careful.

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control prepared a risk map using satellite data based on sea water temperature and Salinity.

Analysis showed that the density of bacteria, which usually rises in mid-summer, reached levels much higher than usual this year due to temperatures higher than normal seasonal rates.

These bacteria multiply rapidly in river mouths where fresh and salt water mix, and in stagnant, brackish coasts, as the temperature rises. Experts point out that the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean do not generally provide a suitable environment for these bacteria thanks to their high salinity, but heavy rains that pour fresh water into the sea may change this reality.

The coasts of the Baltic and North Seas are currently considered among the most suitable areas for bacteria to multiply and are the most dangerous, withThe risk map highlights the coasts of Bulgaria, France, Germany, Romania and Sweden, while some Spanish beaches were recently closed temporarily due to this danger.

Although the risk is low for healthy people in general, experts warn of the need to be extremely careful with those with open wounds and those with weak immunity.