India has dismissed a claim by a group of British scientists that a new “superbug” has infiltrated the U.K. by way of the South Asian country, describing the report as “sensational.” Indian health officials, meanwhile, called it “malicious propaganda,” and several members of parliament called it a conspiracy. The U.K. scientists say, however, that patients who went to India and Pakistan for cosmetic surgery returned with bacteria that makes the NDM-1 enzyme—which is resistant to most antibiotics. Fifty cases have been identified in the U.K. so far and many worry it could spread globally, despite India’s rejection of the claim. “We strongly refute the naming of this enzyme as New Delhi Metallo beta lactamase,” the ministry said. “We also refute that hospitals in India are not safe for treatment, including medical tourism.”
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