'Super bacteria' discovered in Rio's waters as Olympics near
The "super bacteria" has been found near where sailors will compete and in popular tourist destinations. (KTRK)
Tuesday, July 05, 2016 07:43AM
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (KTRK) -- A group of Brazilian scientists have detected a drug-resistant bacteria growing off the shores of some of Rio de Janeiro's most stunning beaches, one month before they're due to host the 2016 Olympic Games.
According to lead researcher Renata Picao, the "super bacteria" entered the city's waterways when sewage coming from local hospitals got channeled into the bay.
Researchers at the Rio Federal University tested the city's beaches for a year, and discovered high levels of the dreaded superbug drug-resistant bacteria that have been turning up in hospitals.
"We have been looking for 'super bacteria' in coastal waters during a one year period in five beaches," said Picao. "We found that the threats occur in coastal waters in a variety of concentrations and that they are strongly associated with pollution."
The news comes as Rio prepares to host hundreds of thousands of athletes and tourists during next month's 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
Among the beaches flagged were Flamengo and Botafogo, which border the bay where Olympic sailors are scheduled to compete.
"It's a nice sailing area but every time you get some water in your face, it feels like there's some alien enemy entering your face," German Paralympic sailor Heiko Kroger said during a recent visit to Rio. "I keep my nose and my lips closed."
Kroger believes the super bacteria may have caused a severe skin infection in one of his teammates during recent training.
Authorities say athletes and visitors will be safe and the sailing arena has internationally acceptable levels of bacteria.
According to Rio's Water Utility, half of the homes in Rio state are now connected to the sewage system which is up from 11 percent.
"Of course, the waste water treatment plants are not prepared for super bacteria, because it's brand new," said Edes de Oliveira, director of CEDAE water utility.
Water Utility says it will look into it further, but scientists say the super-bug is also washing up on some of Rio's most touristy beaches, which are already deemed too polluted to swim in by authorities a third of the year.