ICMR questions latest superbug study,DJB says don’t panic

Dr V M Katoch,Director General of ICMR and Health department Secretary,told Newsline that researchers were unnecessarily trying to create panic in the country. “There are thousands of genes causing multi-bacterial resistance besides NDM-1,and they are found in all parts of the world. The need to focus only on NDM-1,and that too only in India,is questionable.”

The journal said that the NDM-1 gene was found in 51 seepage samples and two tap water samples of the 171 seepage samples and 50 tap water samples collected from the Capital between September 26 and October 10,2010. The article,published on Thursday,has been co-authored by Professor Timothy Walsh and Dr Mark Toleman of the Cardiff Institute of Medicine — the same scientists who were behind the superbug ‘expose’ last year.

Through a multi-centric study conducted back then,they had reported that it had been largely contracted by European patients admitted to Indian hospitals.

The new study,titled ‘Dissemination of NDM-1 positive bacteria in the New Delhi environment and its implications for human health: An environmental point prevalence study’,claimed that the NDM-1 had found its way into the Capital’s environment. The study further reported that the NDM-1 gene,which causes resistance to antibiotics,were found in bacteria that cause cholera (Vibrio Cholerae) and dysentery (Shigella Boydii).

Reacting to this,Dr Katoch said this finding had very little significance. “There is hardly any role of antibiotics in treating cholera — it is very limited,” he explained. Dr Katoch added that the problem was completely preventable,and could be managed through the adoption of proper water purification methods.

Delhi Jal Board Chief Executive Ramesh Negi said Indian microbiologists have said the bacteria in question is not the original bacteria,but a mutation.

“The chances of it surviving in tap water are very rare because there is chlorine in our water,which doesn’t allow it to spread… But,in any case,we advise the public to boil the water to ensure 100 per cent safety,” Negi said.