Presence of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in sanitary sewages: notes for health surveillance complementary actions in times of pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 is caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and it’s main route of transmission is respiratory. However, recent studies have found genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 in feces of infected individuals and in sanitary sewage samples, pointing to new challenges. Objective: Synthesize the evidences on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in human waste and in sewage, discussing possibilities of alternative transmission routes of COVID-19. Method: This is a narrative review, conducted in May 2020, in the platforms Web of Science, CAPES Publications Portal, Scopus and the Virtual Health Library, considering texts in any language. To date, few studies have reported the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in feces, urine and sanitary sewage. Results: However, the findings indicate the importance of including this theme in discussions in the current context of the pandemic. In Brazil, given the inability of mass testing, added to underreporting and the existence of asymptomatic cases, it’s important to consider alternatives that allow the collective diagnosis to direct actions in regions with higher risk of contagion and circulation of SARS-CoV-2. In this sense, the monitoring of sewage can be an alternative, also presenting economic relevance because it requires less expenditure of public money when compared to other measures – biochemical and molecular tests or other hard technologies. Conclusions: Even though this article does not exhaust the discussion of the theme, it advances by bringing data that can be added to the existing information on the forms of dispersion of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment.