Aircraft toilets could be key to tackling ‘silent pandemic’, scientists say
How testing plane toilet waste could detect emerging threats
- A study has found that testing aircraft toilet waste can help monitor the global spread of drug-resistant superbugs, often referred to as the “silent pandemic”.
- Scientists analysed lavatory wastewater from 44 international flights arriving in Australia, detecting nine high-priority pathogens and superbugs.
- An antibiotic-resistance gene, not previously found in Australia’s urban wastewater, was detected on 17 flights, suggesting its likely entry into the country through international air travel.
- Flights originating from Asia, particularly India, showed higher concentrations of antibiotic resistance genes compared to those from Europe and the UK.
- This research indicates that aircraft wastewater monitoring could serve as a valuable early-warning system for emerging superbug threats, complementing existing public health surveillance.