Brazilian researchers have discovered a drug-resistant bacterium in the sea waters where sailing and windsurfing events will be held during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The “super-bacteria” is usually found in hospital waste and produces an enzyme, KPC, resistant to antibiotics.
Researchers found the bacteria in samples taken from Flamengo beach.
Nearly 70% of sewage in Rio – a city of some 10 million people – is spilled raw into the waters of Guanabara Bay.
The bacterium was found in samples taken from several locations along the Carioca river.
One of them was at the point where the river flows into the bay on Flamengo beach.
Residents have been told to take extra care. Flamengo beach is frequently declared unfit for swimming, but many people disregard the official warnings.
The superbug can cause urinary, gastrointestinal and pulmonary infections.
“The problem is that in case of infection it is possible that treatment involves hospitalization,” said Ana Paula D’Alincourt Carvalho Assef, the study coordinator at Rio’s renowned Oswaldo Cruz Institute.
“Since the super-bacteria is resistant to the most modern medications, doctors need to rely on drugs that are rarely used because they are toxic to the organism,” she told the AP news agency.
In its Olympic bid, Rio promised to reduce pollution in Guanabara Bay by 80%.
In June Rio Mayor Eduardo Silva admitted the target would not be met.
The authorities say they understand athletes’ concerns but insist that water pollution will not pose a major health risk during the Olympics, which will held in August 2016.
