Pathogenic microbes blown vast distances by winds, scientists discover
by Damian Carrington Environment editor from Science | The Guardian on (#6QKFN)
Living microbes that cause disease in humans and host antibiotic-resistance genes carried 1,200 miles
Microbes that cause disease in humans can travel thousands of miles on high-level winds, scientists have revealed for the first time.
The winds studied carried a surprising diversity of bacteria and fungi, including known pathogens and, some with genes for resistance to multiple antibiotics. Some of the microbes were shown to be alive - in other words, they had survived the long journey and were able to replicate.
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