Drug-resistant bacteria found in shores of Rio Dr Janeiro beaches

A group of Brazilian scientists have found a drug-resistant bacteria growing off the shores of some of Rio de Janeiro's beaches, one month before they're due to host the 2016 Olympic Games.


According to lead researcher Renata Picao, the "super bacteria" entered the city's waterways when sewage coming from local hospitals got channeled into the bay.

"We have been looking for 'super bacteria' in coastal waters during a one year period in five beaches," Picao told CNN, during a visit to her lab. "We found that the threats occur in coastal waters in a variety of concentrations and that they are strongly associated with pollution."

The news comes as Rio prepares to host athletes and tourists during next month's 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Among the beaches flagged were Flamengo and Botafogo, which border the bay where Olympic sailors are scheduled to compete.