Delhi is not just breathing toxic air, but also a superbug through its air, which was found in a latest research conducted by the researchers are Jawaharlal Nehru University, published in Nature - Scientific Reports. Apart from the heavy particulate matter or the PM2.5, which are small enough to penetrate through one's bloodstream and cause blockage, Delhi's air also contains airborne bacteria, including staphylococci. The bacteria levels exceed the safety limit by 16-fold as provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to scientists most of these bacteria are methicillin resistant and unaffected by multiple antibiotic classes. This has raised concerns about the hard to treat and life threatening air that people are breathing in Delhi, also responsible for causing respiratory infections. While Delhi's AQI may have improved in the past few days and come down to 'very poor' from 'severe', high levels of particulate matter still put many people at the risk of aggravated asthma and cardiovascular disease. However, the added finding of the antimicrobial resistant superbug also adds a new layer of threat to residents.

Many have left the city already due to the toxic air. Aflah Ul Haque, a 33-year-old Media and Communications PR consultant had been living in Delhi since 2017. However, in 2024, he considered to move out. He is now living in Aligarh. While he did face difficulties to uproot himself from a metro city like Delhi, as it had become his comfort zone, it was a decision he had to take for a healthy life. Health and Me also previously reported stories of people who shifted or are actively considering shifting out of the city. Will more people consider the same move now that a superbug is found in the air? This is yet to be seen.

Read: Connection Between Migration And Pollution: People Are Leaving City To Be Away From Delhi's Toxic Air

What Did PM Modi Say About Antimicrobial Resistance?

India is already fighting a battle with antimicrobial resistance or AMR, with the breakthrough of Zaynich, a drug to treat AMR, there is hope, however, one still needs to be extra careful. On December 28, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 129th edition of "Mann Ki Baat", spoke about AMR. He pointed out that this is a matter of concern and cited data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) showing that antibiotics are becoming less effective against pneumonia and urinary tract infections. He also pointed out that in India, this is a crisis due to "thoughtless and indiscriminate use of antibiotics by people".

How Was The Study That Found Superbug In Delhi's Air Conducted?

In order to understand what people might be breathing in, the researchers collected air samples from a range of everyday locations across Delhi, such as:

• Crowded market areas
• Urban slum neighborhoods
• Residential apartments
• A sewage treatment plant located within the JNU campus

Both indoor and outdoor air samples were taken during summer, monsoon and winter to track how bacterial levels and resistance patterns shifted with the seasons.

Across every setting, airborne bacteria levels were far above the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit for microbial exposure. In some winter samples, bacterial counts exceeded 16,000 colony-forming units per cubic meter, which is more than 16 times higher than the WHO guideline.

What raised even greater concern was the type of bacteria detected. Many belonged to the Staphylococcus group, which includes strains linked to skin infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections and illnesses commonly acquired in hospitals.

According to the researchers, a large share of the airborne bacteria were identified as methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS), meaning they do not respond to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Among these:

73 per cent were multidrug-resistant, showing resistance to several classes of antibiotics

Many were resistant to macrolides, beta-lactams, trimethoprim, gentamicin and other commonly used drugs

Genetic analysis confirmed the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)

Notably, 14 out of 36 multidrug-resistant samples carried the mecA gene, a well-known marker that makes bacteria resistant to methicillin and related antibiotics.

Why Is Winter Smog Linked To Drug-Resistant Bacteria?

The study showed that levels of airborne drug-resistant bacteria were highest in winter, while monsoon rains led to a sharp drop in outdoor contamination.

Researchers point to a few likely reasons:

• Poor air movement in winter traps pollutants and microbes near ground level
• High levels of particulate matter may give bacteria surfaces to cling to and spread
• Cooler temperatures and lower humidity allow bacteria to survive longer in the air

On the other hand, rainfall during the monsoon appears to clear bioaerosols from the air, reducing bacterial concentrations outdoors.

Days after actor Genelia D'Souza revealed she does not feed her children ghee over fears of blocking their arteries and causing heart damage, cardiologists have exclusively revealed to HealthAndMe whether the superfood is healthy for youngsters.

During an episode of Soha Ali Khan’s YouTube podcast 'All About Her', D'Souza said: "Ghee was never a very big part of my diet. I’ve always been more conscious because cholesterol issues run in my family. Whether it was non-vegetarian food or anything else, it was always on my mind, I didn’t want to go overboard.

"We start building habits early. You can't keep feeding children excessive amounts of certain foods and then expect them to suddenly not be overweight and head to the gym later in life. It has to make sense."

And Dr Lakshmi Sukumaran, cardiologist and cardiac anesthesiologist at Metromed International Cardiac Centre agrees!

The specialist told the publication: "Children need appropriate fat for growth, brain development, and hormone synthesis. However, children also do not need excess saturated fat.

"Small amounts of ghee, a teaspoon added to food is not harmful for healthy children with normal weight, active lifestyle and no genetic lipid disorders.

What should be avoided is high daily intake, especially when combined with sedentary lifestyle and calorie excess."

Is Ghee Indeed Bad For Young Children?

Made from cow milk butter, ghee contains about 130 calories and 15 grams of fat on average. It is also known to be rich in Vitamin A, D, K and E as well antioxidants.

However due to its high saturated fat content, some experts claim ghee can raise bad cholesterol levels in some people. Dr Neville Solomon, pediatric cardiac surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai further advised that it is important for parents to practice caution over the amount their children are consuming of the superfood.

He exclusively told HealthAndMe: "Excessive intake can be harmful and manifest as weight gain, and indirectly in adulthood, as metabolic syndrome, which can manifest as hypertension, diabetes and raised bad cholesterol and low good cholesterol, which can translate into 'hardening of arteries' and coronary artery disease in adulthood."

Additionally, he suggested that children should be kept away from fried foods, be allowed to to consume ghee in moderation and encouraged to be physically active to maintain cardiac health as they grow.

"A sensible policy, if your child is overweight, it is best to avoid or restrict ghee and related potentially harmful foods like fried items, sweets, salty foods like chips and pickles. Ensure your child is physically active, and screen time is restricted. Adequate sleep and avoiding excessive stress are equally important for the long-term 'heart health' of a child," he said.

What About Adults?

Dr Sukumaran explained that while low amounts of ghee in itself is not unhealthy for children and cannot block arteries, it is necessary for adults to also practice moderation as it can pave the way for development of atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds up inside your arteries over years and cause artery blockage.

She explained: "Ghee is simply a concentrated source of saturated fat. Saturated fats are known to raise LDL cholesterol in many individuals. Elevated LDL is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. But this effect is dose-dependent, meaning quantity and frequency matter. So, intake of ghee in moderation does not worsen heart health. What matters is long term dietary patterns.

"Studies on ghee consumption show mixed results , some show mild increases in LDL or triglycerides at high intake, while others show neutral effects when intake is modest and part of a traditional diet.

"Science supports moderation, not fear mongering a particular type of food, and certainly not oversimplified statements of celebrities about arterial blockage."

Who Should Avoid Ghee?

Experts recommend those suffering from conditions such as heart, digestive and kidney issues as well as obesity to steer clear from the superfood. Cholesterol patients should also avoid ghee as it is rich in fatty acids that may increase blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease.

Lastly, those suffering from jaundice should also avoid it as it can cause major problems for the liver. Doctors suggest consuming not more than two teaspoons of ghee every day as it may pose certain health risks.

What Did Genelia Say About Her Children's Diets?

The 38-year-old mother-of-two clarified during the podcase episode that she considers ghee to be a problem when consumed in excess. D'Souza, who follows a strict plant-based lifestyle, explained that ghee, a known superfood, stays far away from her diet and instead she prefers to consume sesame seeds (til) for similar benefits.

She also addressed questions about giving up ghee and butter, stating, "I enjoyed a little bit of ghee and butter, but only in tiny portions. So when I eventually gave it up, it wasn’t a big deal," while acknowledging the sensory appeal of ghee, "I know it’s very tasty and it smells amazing."

After Indore water contamination, whose epicentre is Bhagirathpura, that led to the outbreak of diarrhea, with confirmed E coli and Klebsiella bacteria in the water, similar cases form 5 different states have come up. Madhya Pradesh has again made it to the list, now, with Bhopal's water being contaminated.

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh : Water Contamination

Residents of Greater Noida's Delta 1 Sector fell ill after consuming contaminated drinking water. This has prompted health concerns and complaints of sewage mixing in the pipe line, said officials and residents.

The residents reported symptoms like vomiting, fever, stomachache and loose motion after consuming tap water in parts of sector on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, the officials of the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) denied mixing of sewage with portable water supply, claiming tests conducted so far has found the water to be clean. However, Harendra Bhati, a resident of Beta 1 Sector, society located nearby, claimed that sewage overflow is a common problem in several parts of Greater Noida, as reported by NDTV.

Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat: Water Contamination

In Gujarat's Gandhi Nagar, typhoid outbreak was traced to contaminated drinking water. Residents have been affected by sewage mixing into pipelines, which were meant to deliver clean water. Official from Gandhinagar Civil Hospital, as reported by The Indian Express said that many complaint of high grade fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Most of the patients are in the age group of 1 to 16.

“Various samples were taken and they showed fecal contamination,” reported The Indian Express.

Hyderabad, Telangana: Water Contamination

Four of Hyderabad's 6 water sources were found to be critically polluted, according to a study titled Assessment of Water Quality of Osmansagar, by the scholars of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU). Hyderabad draws 600 million gallons water per day from six major sources, they include: Osmansagar, Himayatsagar, Singur, Manjeera, Akkampally (Krishna) and Sripada Yellampalli (Godavari).

Very poor levels of pollutant have been found in Osmansagar, Himayatsagar, Krishna and Godavari. As per researchers, untreated sewage from nearby residential areas are reported to flow directly into the lake. the problem is worsened due to the surrounding industries as well as pesticides and fertilizers. The researchers noted: “Fecal contamination clearly points to serious health hazards."

Also Read: Indore Water Contamination Linked to E. coli and Klebsiella Bacteria — What Are They?

Rohtak and Jhajjar, Haryana: Water Contamination

Residents from Haryana's Rohtak and Jhajjar also reported that they have been receiving dirty, foul-smelling water, sometimes even black in color. This situation has forced many families to fetch daily use and drinking water from far away areas or purchase it from private tanker.

Mayank, JE (Civil) with the Public Health and Engineering Department, said in response to an online complaint that efforts are underway to trace the source of the contaminated water supply. The problem is likely to be resolved within seven to ten days, as preliminary findings suggest a damaged household connection, currently being identified through excavation and pipeline inspections.

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: Water Contamination

Groundwater samples collected from four locations in Bhopal have tested positive for E. coli bacteria. In response, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation has barred residents from using groundwater for any purpose.

Read: E. Coli Detected In Bhopal Groundwater: Symptoms To Watch And How To Stay Safe

Officials clarified that the contamination is restricted to underground water sources and has not spread to the treated piped water supplied across the city. According to ANI, civic teams have tested 1,810 water samples so far and inspections are still underway in all zones.

Popular weight loss drugs have now dominated the market, especially with the US lowering its prices. In a new move, Australia now too will see, what many are calling a 'massive' reduction in the priced of Wegovy, another popular weight loss drug like Ozempic. The weight loss medicine will be subsidized, as it is set to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme of Australia, or the PBS. This is for the patients with 'severe' obesity and cardiovascular diseases, which will save them thousands of dollars. However, the government warns that it will lump taxpayers with a 'very big bill'.

Health Minister Mark Butler noted that this weight loss drug will be available on the PBS for patients with an "established cardiovascular disease", which means someone who has had a heart attack or stroke, and has a BMI of 35 or higher, recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) late last year.

What Is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 or GLP-1 medication, like Ozempic, which helps to suppress the individual's appetite, thus leading to weight loss. On Friday, as reported by ABC News, Butler said, "Right now, more than 400,000 Australians are paying market prices for one of the GLP-1s, and that is as much as $4,000 or $5,000 a year, which is obviously beyond the means of many Australians." Butler said that this is not "just a health issue for us, it is also an equity issue".

Obesity Issue In Australia

As per 2022 data, around 13 per cent of Australian adults live with “severe obesity,” defined as having a BMI of 35 or higher.

There is no confirmed timeline for when the drug will be added to the PBS, but once listed, eligible patients are expected to see a sharp drop in costs. From January 1, PBS medicines have been capped at $25 per prescription, or $7.70 for concession card holders.

However, Health Minister Mark Butler acknowledged that subsidising the drug would place a “very large financial burden” on taxpayers. His office declined to provide even an estimated cost, saying clearer figures would emerge once price negotiations with manufacturer Novo Nordisk begin.

In advice released in December, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) warned of a “significant risk” that people who do not meet both eligibility criteria—especially those meeting only one—may still seek subsidized access. To manage potential costs, the committee recommended a risk-sharing arrangement with the company.

Currently, Ozempic is the only weight loss drug available on the PBS for patients with type 2 diabetes, which is what GLP-1 medications were originally in the market for.

What Are The Experts Saying?

Dr Mark Mellor, the lead clinician at Perth Weight Clinic told ABC News that the criteria to avail the medicines were "deliberately narrow" to avoid a cost blow out.

Dr Mellor said the medication is especially effective for the two identified groups because it not only aids weight loss but also helps reduce the risk of future cardiovascular problems, potentially saving lives.

“The goal is to prevent another cardiovascular event or death from heart disease,” he said, adding that providing treatment to those who are eligible and willing “simply makes sense.”