Preliminary results of SARS-CoV-2 detection in sewerage system in Niterói municipality, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Tatiana Prado,Adriana Gonçalves Maranhão,Marilda Mendonça Siqueira,Tulio Machado Fumian,Marize Pereira Miagostovich,Camille Ferreira Mannarino

doi:10.1590/0074-02760200196

Abstract

This study presents preliminary results from a sewage-based surveillance to monitor the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the municipality of Niterói, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. By using ultracentrifugation method associated to quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) we detected SARS-CoV-2 in 41.6% (5/12) of raw sewage samples obtained from sewage treatment plants and sewers network in the city. This pioneer study carried out in Brazil aims to subsidise information for health surveillance concerning the viral circulation in different areas of the city and, revealed the insertion and importance of environmental virology in health public policies.

Highlights

Similar to many other viruses-causing respiratory syndromes, the main transmission route of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is through respiratory droplets generated by coughing and/or sneezing, the route of contamination by fomites is considered.[1]
A pilot project was underway to investigate the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage system in areas of interest for health surveillance in the city of Niterói, in order to monitor the transmission pattern over the period of the epidemic
On April 15th, raw sewage samples were obtained at 12 different sampling points in the city of Niteroi, including sewage treatment plants (STPs), hospital wastewater and sewers network (Figure)

Summary

Introduction

Similar to many other viruses-causing respiratory syndromes, the main transmission route of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is through respiratory droplets generated by coughing and/or sneezing, the route of contamination by fomites is considered.[1]. A pilot project was underway to investigate the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage system in areas of interest for health surveillance in the city of Niterói, in order to monitor the transmission pattern over the period of the epidemic.

Results

Conclusion