Increased risk of vibriosis in the coastal areas of Kymenlaakso

The Kymenlaakso Wellness Region recommends considering swimming in seawater if your body's immune system is weakened.

Due to prolonged heat, the risk of infection caused by bacteria of the Vibrio genus has increased along the Baltic Sea coast. This also applies to the marine areas of Kymenlaakso.

The Kymenlaakso Well-being Region says in a press release that people with a weakened immune system should currently consider avoiding swimming in the sea, especially if they have skin lesions or ulcers. A weakened immune system increases the susceptibility to infection. Immunity can be reduced, for example, due to chronic illness, various medications and treatments, or old age.

Vibrio infection can be transmitted through a wound during swimming and cause a local skin infection. In people with a weakened immune system, the infection can spread quickly and turn into a serious, even life-threatening, systemic infection.

The bacteria can also cause ear infections and stomach symptoms in swimmers if a large amount of seawater gets into the mouth and is swallowed. Stomach illness caused by Vibrio can last from a few hours to several days.

The risk of vibriosis is elevated as long as the sea surface temperature remains high. In addition to Kymenlaakso, the risk of vibriosis has increased particularly on the coasts of Northern Ostrobothnia, Southwest Finland, Åland, eastern Uusimaa and Helsinki.

Contact persons

Peter Klemets
Chief Physician, Infectious Diseases and Infection Control
peter.klemets@kymenhva.fi