DSPA refutes link between infections and wastewater treatment

The Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) has refuted the possibility of any links between the bacterial infections recently reported on Coloane beaches and the local wastewater treatment plant, the Bureau said in a response to a Times’ inquiry.

In the response to the inquiry, the DSPA said, “Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that naturally exists in warm seawater and is not related to the discharge of sewage from the wastewater treatment plants,” adding that the DSPA “dispatches personnel to regularly inspect the environmental situation along Macau’s coast. If any abnormal circumstances are discovered, the relevant departments will be notified through the existing mechanism for coordinated follow-up.”

The response opposes the idea present in several academic studies quoted by the Times that found a correlation between the discharge of untreated or inefficiently treated sewage and the cause of a significant increase in bacteria growth which can potentially threaten public health.

There are reports from the Health Bureau of at least two severe infections among local residents that occurred last month after receiving wounds through close contact with dead fish on the beaches of Cheoc Van and Hac Sa.

The V. vulnificus, a pathogenic bacterium of the genus Vibrio, present in marine environments such as estuaries, brackish ponds, or coastal areas is related to Vibrio cholerae, a causative agent of cholera.

The infections often cause necrotizing soft tissue around the area of the initial infection and, if not treated immediately, can lead to amputations of body parts or even death of the patient.

About four years ago a different report found Cholera bacteria at Cheoc Van Beach. At the time and in response to the bacteria being found, the government raised a red flag at the beach, signaling that marine activities should be avoided.

The Health Bureau has noted that the latest strain of Cholera was recorded in Macau in 1998. However, the bacteria have been found several times in Macau waters since.