A blueprint for Vibrio surveillance and risk reduction in Europe
4 affiliations
- 1Centre for Fisheries, Environment and Aquaculture Science, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, DT4 8UB, UK
- 2Department of Biosciences, University of Newcastle, UK
- 3Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- 4Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Abstract
Vibrio bacteria, long regarded as pathogens of tropical waters, are now emerging across numerous European coastlines as rising sea surface temperatures and extreme weather reshape microbial ecologies. Wound and foodborne infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and other non-cholera species are increasing in frequency and latitude. Recent heat-related outbreaks in the Baltic and North Seas demonstrate that climate change is already expanding the suitable habitat for these bacteria. Yet across Europe surveillance remains patchy, diagnostics inconsistent, and risk communication limited. Europe requires an integrated approach to Vibrio preparedness, uniting environmental monitoring, genomic epidemiology surveillance, and public health awareness. Recognising Vibrio spp. as a sentinel of climate-linked infectious disease will be necessary for protecting coastal communities, seafood safety, and health systems in a warming world.
Related
- Viral circulation patterns and hospitalisation burden of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza in the post-pandemic period: an analysis of surveillance data from the United States, England and Europe, 2022-2025
- Large‐Scale Genomic Surveillance of Swine Influenza A Viruses in Europe Highlights Increased Reassortment Potential and Field‐Based Associations With Clinical Manifestations
- Surveillance of West Nile virus infections in humans and animals in Europe, monthly report – data submitted up to 7 October 2026
- Directions for wastewater-based surveillance in Europe – insights from the EU-WISH 2025 International Workshop
- Modernising public health surveillance in an EHDS-enabled Europe: building a coordinated European public health intelligence ecosystem
BibTeX
@article{higginson2026blueprint,
title = {{A blueprint for Vibrio surveillance and risk reduction in Europe}},
author = {Andrew Higginson and Jaime Martinez-Urtaza and Charlotte King and Rachel Hartnell and Craig Baker-Austin},
journal = {One Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.onehlt.2026.101604},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2026.101604},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A blueprint for Vibrio surveillance and risk reduction in Europe
AU - Andrew Higginson
AU - Jaime Martinez-Urtaza
AU - Charlotte King
AU - Rachel Hartnell
AU - Craig Baker-Austin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/08
JO - One Health
DO - 10.1016/j.onehlt.2026.101604
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2026.101604
AB - Vibrio bacteria, long regarded as pathogens of tropical waters, are now emerging across numerous European coastlines as rising sea surface temperatures and extreme weather reshape microbial ecologies. Wound and foodborne infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and other non-cholera species are increasing in frequency and latitude. Recent heat-related outbreaks in the Baltic and North Seas demonstrate that climate change is already expanding the suitable habitat for these bacteria. Yet across Europe surveillance remains patchy, diagnostics inconsistent, and risk communication limited. Europe requires an integrated approach to Vibrio preparedness, uniting environmental monitoring, genomic epidemiology surveillance, and public health awareness. Recognising Vibrio spp. as a sentinel of climate-linked infectious disease will be necessary for protecting coastal communities, seafood safety, and health systems in a warming world.
SN - 2352-7714
ER -