High levels of antibiotic resistance genes that could turn bacteria into superbugs have been detected in estuaries on China’s coastline. The discovery was made by a team led by the University of Hong Kong and published today in Nature Ecology & Evolution. Over 200 different resistance genes were detected overall in what was described as “just a microcosm of a worldwide problem”. The genes enter the environment through sewage and waste water released into lakes and rivers. Professor Walker said it was a huge but under-appreciated problem that was "creeping up slowly". Humans face potential exposure to the genes when eating seafood and fish from the affected estuaries. Antibiotic resistance causes around 700,000 deaths per year.
High levels of antibiotic resistance genes that could turn bacteria into superbugs have been detected in estuaries on China’s coastline. The discovery was made by a team led by the University of Hong Kong and published today in Nature Ecology & Evolution. Over 200 different resistance genes were detected overall in what was described as “just a microcosm of a worldwide problem”. The genes enter the environment through sewage and waste water released into lakes and rivers. Humans face potential exposure to the genes when eating seafood and fish from the affected estuaries. Antibiotic resistance causes around 700,000 deaths per year.