Are superbugs lurking in our waters?

Researcher Prof Dearbhaile Morris is photographed while being filmed in front of a beautiful coastline in Cornwall

Antibiotic resistance, often referred to as a “silent pandemic,” is an escalating global crisis. For this year’s World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) we explore how factors including climate change and pollution contribute to the spread of these superbugs in Europe’s coastal waters.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines. Researchers Prof William Gaze (University of Exeter) and Prof Dearbhaile Morris (University of Galway) discuss how coastal waters can serve as reservoirs for these antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the risks associated with sewage discharges and poor water quality, and how people can avoid infections. Watch the video to learn more.

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