Superbugs Found in New Delhi’s Water and Sewage, and why it matters to USA.

[dixiegrrrrl]

Why is this important?

For those who don't want to bother with all the print in the aritlce, some highlights:

"a newly identified enzyme(NDM-1) that renders common gut bacteria indifferent to almost all antibiotics "
( think about that for a minute)

Since the gene resides on a plasmid, a mobile piece of DNA, that raises the possibility that NDM-1 could be moving from the bacteria in which it was first identified into other species.

And in fact, that’s what has happened. In the Indian water samples, Walsh and team found NDM-1 in 11 different bacterial species: not only Klebsiella and Citrobacter, which are common hospital-associated infections, but E. coli, the gut bug that is present in the intestines of every warm-blooded being; Shigella, the cause of dysentery, or very serious diarrhea; and Vibrio cholerae. Yes, that’s right: the bacterial cause of cholera, rendered effectively untreatable.

Think about that for a moment.

Link to today's article:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/04/ndm-1-water/


PLUS: link to earlier article with more interesting details, and implications:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/08/ndm-1-novel-global-complex-and-a-serious-threat/

[Duer 157099]

1. (whips out my trusty UV-C wand and smiles at it) n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. UV-C wand????

[Voice for Peace]

3. uv-c

UV-C - Shortwave UV, that includes germicidal ultraviolet - 253.7nm wavelength - used for air, surface and water disinfection.

[Duer 157099]

4. Costco.

Granted, it doesn't help if you've already ingested the bugs.

http://reviews.costco.com/2070/11270790/germ-guardian-germ-guardian-uv-c-sanitizing-light-wand-reviews/reviews.htm

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. Whoa....SCARY! Everyone should read : "The Blue Death"

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Death-Disease-Disaster-Water/dp/0060730897

From Publishers Weekly
In this engrossing and disquieting book, the author, who specializes in drinking water epidemiology, raises the alarm about hidden perils in our water. He traces the history of the search for water-borne pathogens from the mid-19th century, when doctors discovered the bacterium that causes cholera (the blue death), to the 20th century, when it was found that chlorination and filtration would block many of the organisms responsible for diseases such as typhoid fever, dysentery and cholera. But today, our water supply is far from safe. Some pathogens elude conventional filters; others are resistant to chlorine; and chlorinated drinking water may increase the risk of certain cancers. Climate change, emerging diseases, toxic chemicals, decaying pipes and terrorism also threaten our water. To dramatize his thesis, Morris describes devastating outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease, such as the one caused by a parasite in Milwaukee's drinking water that sickened 400,000 people in 1993. During the 19th century, doctors had to overcome opposition from those who refused to believe that diseases could be waterborne. Now, epidemiologists and researchers who advocate for tighter controls on drinking water must battle drinking water industry lobbyists who resist regulatory efforts. Morris argues persuasively that unless we do more to protect the water we drink, we court disaster.

The author NEVER drink tap water and travels with his own filtered water.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Hey! Bright side: Maybe the radiation will kill the bugs.

:evilgrin:

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. There ya go!

We are so SCREWED!

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. As a species, maybe so.

As a planet, not so much, in the end.

[dembotoz]

7. Since evolution does not exist--God creates a new way to kill us

i have had the screaming shits that felt like fire and brimstone....

but eventually i got better.

[cayanne]

10. I have had MERSA and

I'm lucky I survived. This post scares the you-know-what out of me.

[woo me with science]

11. We are returning to the Dark Ages.

Kings and serfs.

Religious rule.

Illiteracy.

Now, it seems, the plague.

I hope at least we get to do some cool stuff like jousting.

[cliffordu]

12. Aaaaaaaaand.......

MAIDENS!!!!!!

[Hawkowl]

13. Wages will rise

It was an economic boom period for the serfs after a 60-70% population reduction in Europe after the Black Death. So that's another thing we can look forward to! But I'd much rather joust! I've already got the horses, just need some armor...