Delhi govt taking superbug report seriously: Health minister

With fresh reports of prevalence of deadly superbug NDM1 in the city emerging, the Delhi government today said it has taken the matter "seriously" and will discuss the issue with all stakeholders on Friday.

Delhi Health Minister AK Walia, refusing to comment on findings of a study conducted by a leading hospital, said a meeting has been called to discuss the issue.

"It is a serious issue. We have not received any report from the hospital concerned. But I have called a meeting of all stakeholders to discuss the matter," Walia said.

The meeting has been called following reports that a study by Gangaram hospital has found prevalence of the NDM1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1) superbug, particularly in hospital settings in the city.

An NDM-1 study published in Lancet triggered controversy last year as it claimed that drug-resistant gene had originated in India and was resistant to different classes of antibiotics.

The government had protested naming the virus after New Delhi.The Union Health Ministry had severely contested the findings of the Lancet study.

In April this year, Lancet had reported that the superbug was found in about a quarter of water samples taken from drinking supplies and puddles on the streets of New Delhi.

However, the Delhi Jal Board had dispelled the concerns and said the water being supplied by the agency was "safe" for drinking.