- Researchers said that the findings were ‘very scary’
- They found nine of th 12 antibiotic-resistant superbugs listed as grave threats
- E.coli, which causes blood poisoning, was found on the Tube, buses and taxis
- The Victoria line was found to be the dirtiest, with 22 types of bacteria
Sarah Griffiths And Ben Spencer For The Daily Mail
1
View
comments
If you’re planning a visit to London, you might want to take some good handwipes with you.
Nine of the world’s most threatening superbugs have been found on the capital’s public transport – and it could be a breeding ground for more, researchers warn.
They discovered a total of 121 bacteria and moulds on buses, Tube trains and taxis.
Researchers have found the capital’s public transport system could be a breeding ground for superbugs
Most worryingly, the team from London Metropolitan University found nine of the 12 antibiotic-resistant superbugs listed as posing the greatest threat to human health by the World Health Organisation.
Study leader Dr Paul Matewele, an immunology expert, said this was ‘very scary’ because superbugs can easily transfer their antibiotic resistance to other bacteria, driving the spread of resistance.
-
The scariest superbug on the CDC’s radar is a deadly fungus…
Bad news for cheese lovers: Eating Emmental could be fueling…
His team took 80 swabs across the London transport network, testing hand rails, seats, doors and walls. Klebsiella pneumoniae, which causes pneumonia, was found in Tube trains and taxis. This nightmare bacteria recently killed a woman in the US after it resisted treatment with 26 antibiotics including colistin, which is considered a drug of last resort.
E.coli, which can cause blood poisoning and salmonella, which is responsible for many food poisoning outbreaks, was found on the Tube, buses and taxis. Acinetobacter baumannii, which can lead to pneumonia, bloodstream infections and meningitis, was found on the Circle Line.
School germ alert
Play equipment at schools poses a health hazard for young children, a study suggests.
Testing for germs at two typical schools – a primary and an infants – revealed high levels of bacteria on objects including toy dinosaurs and a class mascot teddy.
More bugs were found on play gear than on door handles, in bathrooms and in sinks.
Luke Rutterford, of Rentokil, which conducted the tests, said: ‘Play equipment and shared items such as pens and pencils are used regularly throughout the day but rarely cleaned, providing lots of opportunity for cross-contamination.’
The Victoria Line was the dirtiest, with 22 types of potentially harmful bacteria, while buses were found to be the cleanest way to travel, according to the research commissioned by taxi insurers Staveley Head.
Dr Matewele said the concentration of superbugs was frightening because bacteria currently thought to be less deadly could soon become resistant to drugs.
The Victoria line was found to be the dirtiest, with 22 types of potentially harmful bacteria
‘If bacteria dies but there’s enough bacteria next to it, then the DNA that contains the resistant gene may be transferred to the [second] bacteria,’ he warned. ‘This is very scary.’
Antibiotic resistance – in which bacteria evolve to fight off drugs – is rapidly becoming seen as the biggest crisis facing modern medicine.
Study leader Dr Paul Matewele, an immunology expert, said the findings were ‘very scary’
Jill Collis, director of health, safety and environment for Transport for London, said: ‘The Tube is an extremely safe environment and our trains and stations are professionally cleaned throughout the day and night.
‘There is no cause for customers to worry about bacteria on the Tube or do anything different in terms of hygiene than they would in other public places.’
Share or comment on this article
- Terrifying moment a young child is hit by a car as he…
- Married boxer Julio César Chávez Jr is ‘robbed of his…
- Eight-year-old girl is left unable to walk or talk…
- ‘I wasn’t buying smashed avocado for $19 and $4 coffees’:…
- How Britain’s fattest woman lost 18st – but still blames…
- Trump is mulling a ‘huge reboot’ that could kick Spicer,…
- ‘All that was left was his underwear and sandals’:…
- EXCLUSIVE: Hero surfer who beat the virus that wreaked…
- Chilling phone call of chef as he cooked his dismembered…
- ‘They left my baby on the ground to die’: Cops are…
- Amazon’s secret refund giveaway revealed: Retailer will…
- Tomorrow could see a ZOMBIE cyber-attack: IT expert who…
- Shower gel set my privates ABLAZE: Woman posts hilarious…
- Mother shares heartbreaking photos showing how…
- Wisteria mysteria! Owners heartbroken after stunning…
- Murderer who killed his 73-year-old neighbor asks for a…
- Ryan Giggs’ friends are forced to step in as rival group…
- James Woods is slammed after posting homophobic tweet…
Comments 1
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.