Infectious bacteria found in Sydney Harbour
If you’re thinking of taking a dip in Sydney’s famous harbour you might want to reconsider it, after scientists detected an aggressive species of marine bacteria.
The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Technology Sydney, found two species of Vibrio bacteria in Sydney Harbour, known to cause serious illness.
The Vibrio bacteria were present in high concentrations where water was warmest and in areas of mid-salinity, particularly around Parramatta Park, Olympic Park and Rozelle.
The bacteria, either through the consumption of contaminated seafood or through exposure to swimmers, can cause skin and gastrointestinal infections.
The report’s co-author and associate professor at UTS' Climate Change Cluster Justin Seymour, said the findings have implications for authorities and users of Sydney Harbour, but urged caution, “Given that these are naturally occurring marine organisms, it's not surprising that we're seeing them. People don't need to be super alarmed about their occurrence in Sydney Harbour at the moment. But what we've seen in other parts of the world are links between increasing seawater temperatures and the abundance of these bacteria and associated illnesses.”
"I don't think people should change the way they use their local beaches, but it is something local management authorities should be aware of. There are potentially harmful effects for humans if outbreaks of these bacteria in the environment become more severe and common”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health noted that swimming in the water carries risk of infection, “Germs, including a large range of bacteria and viruses, occur naturally and are very common in the environment. Vibrio species are commonly found in aquatic environments. Many of these bacteria and viruses are harmless to people. However some can be harmful if swallowed or if they infect wounds.”
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