Health & Medicine
Rio Olympics 2016 Update: Flamengo Beach Houses Antibiotic-Resistant Super Bacteria, Athletes At Risk
Michael Finn
First Posted: Aug 10, 2016 06:03 AM EDT
Rio Olympics 2016 athletes and spectators face a deadly antibiotic-resistant super bacteria threat as algae takes over the waters. Algae itself is generally harmless, but the deficient levels of chlorine that allow it to grow might expose athletes to the dangers of the super bacteria.
The study found that 90 percent of test waters from the Flamengo Beach had the super bacteria. The beach is the spectators location for the sailing events of Rio Olympics 2016. The super bacteria could cause hard to treat urinary, gastrointestinal, pulmonary and bloodstream infections and meningitis. Furthermore, studies show that the bacteria could contribute to death in up to half of patients infected according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The super bacteria, which is mostly found in hospitals, were previously detected off the beaches in Rio de Janeiro and in a lagoon where rowing and canoe athletes will compete for Rio Olympics 2016. It has also been noted that Rio de Janeiro hospitals regularly dump waste into storm drains and rivers, which could pollute the city's water supply, Dead Spin reported. This heightens the concerns that Rio's sewage-infested waterways are unsafe.
In 2014, CDC classified the super bacteria as an urgent public health threat off the beaches in Guanabara Bay where sailing and windsurfing events will be held for Rio Olympics 2016. However, in a previous statement from Rio state's Inea environmental agency, Rio claims to follow the World Health Organization's recommendations for testing recreational water safety. They did not search for the super bacteria as it was not included in WHO recommendations. They also said that there was a lack of studies about the bacteria in water and health outcomes, Reuters reported.
Rio Olympics 2016 athletes are now lamenting over the stench of sewage in Guanabara Bay, reportedly. They are also complaining about the debris that bangs into and clings to their boats, which pose potential hazards for a fair competition.
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TagsRio, olympics, Summer Olympics 2016, Rio Olympics 2016, Olympics 2016, bacteria, Flamengo Beach, Guanabara Bay ©2017 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.
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First Posted: Aug 10, 2016 06:03 AM EDT
Rio Olympics 2016 athletes and spectators face a deadly antibiotic-resistant super bacteria threat as algae takes over the waters. Algae itself is generally harmless, but the deficient levels of chlorine that allow it to grow might expose athletes to the dangers of the super bacteria.
The study found that 90 percent of test waters from the Flamengo Beach had the super bacteria. The beach is the spectators location for the sailing events of Rio Olympics 2016. The super bacteria could cause hard to treat urinary, gastrointestinal, pulmonary and bloodstream infections and meningitis. Furthermore, studies show that the bacteria could contribute to death in up to half of patients infected according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The super bacteria, which is mostly found in hospitals, were previously detected off the beaches in Rio de Janeiro and in a lagoon where rowing and canoe athletes will compete for Rio Olympics 2016. It has also been noted that Rio de Janeiro hospitals regularly dump waste into storm drains and rivers, which could pollute the city's water supply, Dead Spin reported. This heightens the concerns that Rio's sewage-infested waterways are unsafe.
In 2014, CDC classified the super bacteria as an urgent public health threat off the beaches in Guanabara Bay where sailing and windsurfing events will be held for Rio Olympics 2016. However, in a previous statement from Rio state's Inea environmental agency, Rio claims to follow the World Health Organization's recommendations for testing recreational water safety. They did not search for the super bacteria as it was not included in WHO recommendations. They also said that there was a lack of studies about the bacteria in water and health outcomes, Reuters reported.
Rio Olympics 2016 athletes are now lamenting over the stench of sewage in Guanabara Bay, reportedly. They are also complaining about the debris that bangs into and clings to their boats, which pose potential hazards for a fair competition.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone