FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — In a story April 8 about Flagstaff wastewater, The Associated Press reported erroneously that research has found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in treated effluent from the northern Arizona city’s central sewage treatment plant. The research shows genetic indicators of what could be antibiotic-resistant bacteria, not the bacterium itself. Further study is needed to determine if any infectious bacteria are present in the wastewater and if any actual health risks are present.
A corrected version of the story is below:
Recommended Stories
Flagstaff weighs action on treated wastewater
Flagstaff weighs course after discovery of indicators of possibly antibiotic-resistant bacteria in effluent
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Flagstaff officials are considering what to do now that research has found genetic indicators of what could be antibiotic-resistant bacteria in effluent from the northern Arizona city’s central sewage treatment plan.
The Arizona Daily Sun (http://bit.ly/Y8xqJK) reports that an 11-member advisory panel last week considered a Virginia Tech researcher’s findings.
Some members said the city should request a study on whether there is a public health problem and on exactly what is coming out of sprinklers and other distribution points at parks and sports fields.
Virginia Tech microbiologist Amy Pruden says it’s a good time to compare the characteristics of hospitalized patients who have antibiotic-resistant infections to what’s found in the water.
