Flushing out superbugs at 40,000 feet

Wastewater from aircraft toilets could provide a critical warning system for the global spread of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) superbugs, a silent pandemic that threatens to kill more people than cancer by 2050. A new study led by scientists from CSIRO, in partnership with Xiamen University, the University of South Australia and Michigan Technological University, analysed lavatory wastewater from 44 international flights arriving in Australia from nine countries. The team detected nine high-priority pathogens and superbugs, including some that are acquired in hospitals and resistant to multiple drugs. The researchers used advanced molecular techniques to analyse the superbugs’ genetic signatures and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) profiles. For more information: https://unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2025/aircraft-toilets-could-flush-out-spread-of-global-superbugs/ For more from University of South Australia visit: UniSA Homepage: https://www.unisa.edu.au/ UniSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniSA/ UniSA Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/UniversitySA UniSA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/universitysa/ UniSA Weibo: http://weibo.com/studyatunisa CRICOS provider number 00121B / Australian University provider number PRV12107