Brazil Olympics: Super-bacteria found in Rio sea waters

The world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue can be seen from Flamengo beach

Researchers in Brazil have discovered drug-resistant bacteria in the sea waters where sailing and windsurfing events will be held during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The "super-bacteria" are usually found in hospital waste and produce an enzyme, KPC, resistant to antibiotics.

Researchers found the bacteria in samples taken from Flamengo beach.

Nearly 70% of sewage in Rio - a city of some 10 million people - is spilled raw into the waters of Guanabara Bay.

The bacteria were found in samples taken from several locations along the Carioca river.

One sample was found at the point where the river flows into the bay on Flamengo beach.

Residents have been told to take extra care. Flamengo beach is frequently declared unfit for swimming, but many people disregard the official warnings.

'Not completely clean'

The superbug can cause urinary, gastrointestinal and pulmonary infections.

Samples taken from the mouth of the Carioca river on Flamengo beach had traces of the bacteria

Hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated sewage flow daily into Guanabara Bay

The government has built artificial beaches with clean water for Rio's poorer communities

"The problem is that in case of infection it is possible that treatment involves hospitalisation," said Ana Paula D'Alincourt Carvalho Assef, the study coordinator at Rio's renowned Oswaldo Cruz Institute.

"Since the super-bacteria are resistant to the most modern medications, doctors need to rely on drugs that are rarely used because they are toxic to the organism," she told the AP news agency.

In its Olympic bid, Rio promised to reduce pollution in Guanabara Bay by 80%.

But in June Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes admitted the target would not be met.

"I am sorry that we did not use the games to get Guanabara Bay completely clean," said Mr Paes.

The authorities say they understand athletes' concerns but insist that water pollution will not pose a major health risk during the Olympics, which will be held in August 2016.