Jellyfish plague hits Baltic: Over 200 beachgoers suffer burns
The summer season is slowly coming to an end on the Baltic beaches on both the Polish and German sides. Some tourists who choose to visit the beaches of Germany will remember their stay by the sea for a long time. According to German media, over 200 people needed assistance due to burns caused by jellyfish.
The German portal ndr.de has reported the issue. As we read, over 200 bathers in the Baltic Sea needed help due to jellyfish burns. The Germans admit that the problem is growing in the Bay of Lübeck, as there are more and more jellyfish there.
The details of this phenomenon are frightening, as just last Saturday, the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) helped over 220 injured people. For some, shaving foam quickly alleviated the symptoms of the burns, neutralizing the pain and burning. Two people needed emergency services due to allergic reactions.
On Sunday, the situation was a bit better. The wind changed direction, resulting in fewer cases of jellyfish burns, as they were pushed further out to sea. However, the authorities still urge caution. Lukas Reuter from DLRG Haffkrug-Scharbeutz appealed to parents to warn their children about the dangers associated with the presence of jellyfish. He pointed out the importance of beach flag colours, as red flags can also indicate an increased presence of jellyfish in the water.
Jellyfish in the Baltic. Will the problem worsen?
As we wrote some time ago, due to climate change, the waters in the Baltic are starting to warm up, which means that more jellyfish may appear in the area. These are specimens with which contact can result in serious health problems.
The German portal ruhr24.de pointed out that the Baltic's temperature was the highest since 1962. Additionally, the North Sea is shallow, so it heats up quickly. All this makes the conditions for the development of jellyfish ideal, which means they can also thrive in the Baltic.
