Due to necessity, Mockritz Nature Park will be temporarily shutdown for a duration of two days.
The Mockritz Natural Bath in Dresden has temporarily closed its doors due to an unusual occurrence. Cercariae, the larval stage of certain parasitic flatworms, have been detected in the water.
What are Cercariae?
Cercariae are free-swimming larval forms that emerge from freshwater snails. They are often equipped with two eyespots and a long slender tail used for swimming. Their primary function is to leave the snail host and infect the next host or substrate.
The Lifecycle of Cercariae
The lifecycle of trematodes (flukes) involves several stages, with cercariae playing a crucial role. They emerge from the snail into the water, seeking out either a second intermediate host, suitable substrate like aquatic plants, or the definitive vertebrate host to continue their development.
Health Effects of Cercariae
In humans, cercariae can cause a harmless but itchy skin irritation known as "swimmer's itch." This skin irritation is not contagious from person to person. It is important to note that accidentally swallowing cercariae does not lead to any disease.
However, in other cases, such as schistosomiasis, cercariae can penetrate human skin and cause more severe health issues. Thankfully, the type of cercariae found in the Mockritz Natural Bath does not pose such a risk to human health.
The Current Situation at the Mockritz Natural Bath
The Dresden Baths have coordinated the chemical treatment of the Mockritz Natural Bath with the Dresden Health and Environmental Office to address the issue. A specialized company has been enlisted to carry out this treatment, using a safe chemical agent for humans.
The closure of the Mockritz Natural Bath is due to the rainy and cool July weather, which has benefited the "cerariae cycle." The cooler water temperatures have allowed the cercariae to reproduce more effectively, leading to their presence in the bath.
Few bathers visited the Mockritz Natural Bath due to the rainy and cool weather, which may have contributed to the decision to close the bath.
It is essential to avoid natural baths until the skin irritation subsides, typically within ten to fourteen days. The risk of cercariae infection can never be completely ruled out in natural water bodies, but the current situation is being closely monitored and addressed.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Trematodes. Retrieved July 24, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/trematodes/index.html
[2] World Health Organization. (n.d.). Trematode infections. Retrieved July 24, 2023, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/trematode-infections
[3] Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Schistosomiasis. Retrieved July 24, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schistosomiasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352724
[4] World Health Organization. (n.d.). Schistosomiasis. Retrieved July 24, 2023, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schistosomiasis
