Northern Ireland's Lough Neagh Harbors Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs
Exclusive investigation uncovers presence of genes resistant to last-resort antibiotics in UK's largest lake, which provides drinking water to 40% of Northern Ireland.
Exclusive testing of water from Lough Neagh, the UK's largest lake, has uncovered the presence of genes capable of creating antibiotic-resistant superbugs. This discovery is particularly alarming as Lough Neagh supplies drinking water to approximately 40% of Northern Ireland.
The lake, which has a surface area 26 times larger than Windermere, was found to contain genes resistant to a wide range of antibiotics, including carbapenems – drugs reserved for life-threatening infections when all other treatments have failed. These antibiotic-resistant genes pose a significant threat, as they have the potential to spread and contribute to the growing global challenge of superbugs.
Source: The Guardian
