Scientists at a Brazilian research institute have discovered a drug resistant “super bacteria” in the waters where sailing and windsurfing events will be held during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The super bacteria is typically found in hospital waste and, according to the BBC, produces the KPC enzyme, which is resistant to antibiotics.
The bacteria was found in water samples from Rio de Janeiro’s Carioca river, which carries nearly 70% of Rio’s raw sewage.
According to Reuters, the sewage also reaches Guanabara Bay, where Olympic sailing events are expected to be held.
As the superbug can cause urinary, gastrointestinal and pulmonary infections, people who come into contact with the water are susceptible to contracting diseases.
“The problem is that in case of infection it is possible that treatment involves hospitalization,” said Ana Paula D'Alincourt Carvalho Assef, the coordinator of a study on the super bacteria published by the Osvaldo Cruz Foundation.
The Olympics organizers say they will reduce the amount of sewage in the water by 80 percent ahead of the Olympic Games in August 2016.
