Isolation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus from wild aquatic birds in Japan

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus were isolated from faecal samples of wild aquatic birds in winter. Although V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus were present in low numbers in seawater in the area where the faecal samples of the birds were collected, the pathogens were isolated from the faeces of the birds. This study demonstrates that wild aquatic birds are a vehicle for V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus to survive in winter.