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Seagulls 'may be spreading superbugs'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11374536

Quote:

Scientists fear migratory birds may be spreading hard-to-treat infections after discovering seagulls can carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Portuguese researchers analysed 57 samples of droppings from the yellow-legged Caspian Gull Larus Cachinnans.
They found that one in 10 harboured bacteria resistant to a common antibiotic called vancomycin.

Quote:

And the scientists believe wild migratory birds may be spreading antibiotic resistance from place to place, and to other animals and humans through their droppings.
Dr Igrejas said: "Migrating birds that fly and travel long distances can act as transporters, or as reservoirs, of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and may consequently have a significant epidemiological role in the dissemination of resistance."

I've been to viewing sea gulls in the same light as wild rats and pigeons a long while..vermin.

Mind if we were better at clearing up our own rubbish and mess this would not be a problem.:(

Re: Seagulls 'may be spreading superbugs'

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 35095242)

... if we were better at clearing up our own rubbish and mess ...

Exactly. For example, we still dump raw sewage into the sea.

Quote:

This has led to faeces and other sewage-related materials being deposited on beach foreshores and in rivers.

http://www.marinet.org.uk/ukbw/cso.html

Re: Seagulls 'may be spreading superbugs'

I hope certain CFers don't spot that it's migratory birds that could cause the problem.

"Bloody Larus Cachinnans, come over here with their own culture, bleeding our rubbing dumps dry.... etc";)

Re: Seagulls 'may be spreading superbugs'

Quote:

Originally Posted by LondonRoad (Post 35095282)

...Larus Cachinnans...

The literal translation is "ravenous sea bird that laughs loudly". Quite a good description!

http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/showcase/wordsonline.html

Re: Seagulls 'may be spreading superbugs'

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm (Post 35095442)

The literal translation is "ravenous sea bird that laughs loudly". Quite a good description!

http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/showcase/wordsonline.html

I always wondered why their call was so appealing :) It sounds like heaven to me.

Jersey... absolute huge, smart and relentless monsters - and don't scoff until you've experienced it :D
They keep a pace with the times I guess... and I don't feed them intentionally - they do pretty well by themselves but I'm not expecting to die of a bird-ridden disease just because they pinched my sarnie or someone else's ice cream :D

Don't let them frighten the kids I'd say :)

I must admit to being a bit bothered by Hitchcock's Birds but more so by the original novel :D