That sinking feeling: ‘superbugs’ may be multiplying in China’s tap water due to world-low hygiene standards, scientists say
Low chlorine levels create breeding ground for genetic exchanges at a microscopic level, allowing harmful germs to pass their drug-resistant genes on to relatively harmless bacteria, which increases the risk of deadly pandemic
Tap water in China not only upsets stomach but tends to breed and spread “superbugs” due to poor disinfection, according to a new study by researchers on the mainland.
Scientists have discovered large colonies of bacteria including pathogens in the drinking water supply system of most Chinese cities in recent years. At times, entire pipelines have even become blocked by the biomass of microorganisms growing inside the pipe walls, media reports claim.
As various kinds of microorganisms are left to their own devices, they can recombine to form harder-to-combat species. Genetic fragments from one kind of “dead” bacteria can also become absorbed by another kind after drifting in water for long periods of time - thus posing even more of a threat.
Known as a horizontal gene transfer (HGT), this kind of genetic exchange at a microscopic level allows harmful germs like superbugs to pass their drug-resistant genes on to relatively harmless bacteria, which increases the risk of deadly pandemic, experts say.
A research team led by Professor Yu Xin found that the risk of HGT occurring in drinking water systems not properly treated with chlorine was high - and especially so in China.