New NYC subway microbe map reveals Bubonic Plague and more

New NYC subway microbe map reveals Bubonic Plague and more

No one expected these results from the subway's first microbe map.

Just when New Yorkers thought they’ve seen everything on the city’s subway system, Weill Cornell Medical College releases a study detailing all of the bacteria found in the mass transit system that over 4.3 million people ride everyday. While the study claims that most bacteria discovered is harmless, some strands of disease causing bacteria were found (these  are resistant to drugs) and in some instances, even strands of the bacteria that is know for the bubonic plague was present.

The study was accompanied by a “Pathogen Map” that breaks down the entire city’s subway system, detailing which lines had the highest content of bacteria. Dr. Mason, who assisted in the study was pleasantly surprised by most of the findings, with the majority of the 637 known bacteria being non-pathogenic, and was mostly “normal” bacteria that can be found on every human, presenting little to know harm to the subway’s passengers.

On the other hand, nearly half of the bacteria discovered could not be identified. Which may sound alarming at first to the frequent travelers of the underground system, but scientists are actually excited about these unknown bacteria, as the open up a world of study and exploration for scientists to learn more about the bacteria New Yorkers come in contact with everyday, but know little about.

12 percent of the bacteria found overall is associated with disease. The most alarming in a densely populated city were strands that related to the bubonic plague and anthrax. The researches claim that these strands are not related to widespread illness, they are simply “cohabitants” of the city. While the cleanliness of the subway was never its strongest suit, this new study will cause all New Yorkers to think twice before grabbing the handrails underground, and keep germaphobes far away from the MTA.

 

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