Bacteria outbreak in Northern Europe due to ocean warming, study says

Last edited Sun Jul 22, 2012, 08:36 PM - Edit history (1)

LONDON — Man-made climate change is the main driver behind the unexpected emergence of a group of bacteria in northern Europe which can cause gastroenteritis, new research by a group of international experts shows.

The paper, published in the journal Nature Climate Change on Sunday, provided some of the first firm evidence that the warming patterns of the Baltic Sea have coincided with the emergence of Vibrio infections in northern Europe.

Vibrios is a group of bacteria which usually grow in warm and tropical marine environments. The bacteria can cause various infections in humans, ranging from cholera to gastroenteritis-like symptoms from eating raw or undercooked shellfish or from exposure to seawater.

A team of scientists from institutions in Britain, Finland, Spain and the United States examined sea surface temperature records and satellite data, as well as statistics on Vibrio cases in the Baltic.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48278511/ns/us_news-environment/

Edit to add - this appears to be an issue on both sides of the Atlantic:

FDA warns of bacteria in shellfish from NY harbor

The Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to eat raw or partially cooked shellfish harvested from New York's Oyster Bay Harbor because they have been linked to cases of foodborne illness in several states.

The agency said Friday that oysters and clams from the Long Island harbor may be contaminated with bacteria that cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms.

<> The FDA says the shellfish have been linked to confirmed and possible cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus illness. The bacteria can cause illness within a few hours or as late as five days after being consumed.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48264912/ns/us_news-environment/