Disease

Antibiotic resistant E. coli found in France - in drinking water

Antibiotic resistant E. coli has been found in multiple drinking water supplies in France. The resistance counters the critically important cephalosporin antibiotics. The findings highlight the presence of expanding reservoirs of these resistance genes, including reservoirs in the environment.

“Drinking water is a well-recognized source of direct human contamination with waterborne pathogens, but the risk of human transfer of resistance genes has rarely been documented,” the investigators write. They note just several studies of resistance gene-contaminated water in developing nations “with poor water supply systems and/or sanitation facilities, coupled with limited controls of antibiotic usage and residues.” But their study is likely the first report from a high income country that documents production of this resistance gene, by E. coli, in drinking water supplies.

In the study, the investigators sampled 28 water supply systems throughout France. They collected one litre water samples from the locations where drinking water enters the distribution system. The water supplies sampled were chosen on the basis of having had water quality failures—detection of coliform bacteria which serve as indicators of faecal contamination—during the previous three years.

Puerto Rico Zika outbreak rises

One week after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a Zika public health emergency for the Commonwealth, health officials in Puerto Rico reported an additional 2,506 Zika virus cases, bringing the total to 13,186 cumulative confirmed cases since the virus arrived on the island.

Of the total cases this past week, seventy-one were in pregnant women, putting the total to over 1100.

Anthrax in Bangladesh

Health officials in Sirajganj, Bangladesh are reporting an addition 25 human anthrax cases in Shahzadpur upazila in recent days, according to local media. This is the third wave of anthrax cases in the upazila since May. The outbreak is linked to anthrax tainted meat. All the cases are considered cutaneous anthrax, according to the report.

Nigeria - Lassa Fever

The Delta State Ministry of Health has confirmed one person dead and 32 others on surveillance following a reported case of Lassa fever.