COVID-19 experts have a lot of interest in what we are flushing away. Is it that wastewater could predict the second wave of SARS-COV-2 infections? Some countries, such as Germany and China, have had a second-wave of infections after strict lockdown measures were lifted. Can there be a way to predict new hotspots and curb them before spreading further? That’s what some scientists are thinking. The answer therefore, could lie beneath our feet-wastewater.
What is the relationship between wastewater and SARS-CoV-2 infections?
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), also known as water monitoring, has previously been used to detect outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, poliovirus, and measles. When one is infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus multiplies within their body. Some viral RNA, which makes up that virus, is excreted out as feces. The virus is then found in wastewater after we flush our toilets. Therefore, scientists can determine if members of the community are infected by detecting the SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in the sewer.
Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 detection and monitoring through wastewater has been reported in several countries. The countries are the U.S., the Netherlands, Australia, and China. Recent studies show that 56.6 million to 11.3 billion viral genomes are excreted in wastewater by an infected person. Quantitative RT-PCR testing has proven to be successful in detecting SARS-CoV-2 in sewage at those levels. Besides, other methods, such as Paper-based analytical devices, are designed to detect nucleic acids of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater rapidly and cheaply. Other methods, such as One RT qPCR-based detection method for SARS-CoV-2 has a sensitivity capable of detecting a single infected individual among 114. It can increase to 1 in 2 million people under minimum conditions.
Advantages of wastewater testing
Testing wastewater reduces the burden of testing hundreds of people. It also reduces related costs and pressure in the testing facilities. Sewer-testing could therefore offer some relief in areas with economic and logistical problems. The approach can also enable epidemiologists to model and monitor the number of infections within communities. Wastewater monitoring can also offer a more representative sneak peek of accurate infection rates. It can be used to detect the virus within a population that is asymptomatic. In the U.S., SARS-CoV-2 has been added to the range of health indicators.
What next for wastewater testing?
The principle of wastewater testing has been proved for other viral infections. With SARS-Cov-2 detection, several questions need to be answered. These questions will be answered by carrying out more research. However, issues such as how much viral RNA is excreted in feces, at what stage during infection is it excreted, and how does the variation in wastewater affect detection also need a lot of consideration. These issues could be keeping biomedical entities like Vivos Therapeutics Inc. awake as they develop possible interventions.
Other factors, such as wastewater temperature and seasonal changes need a lot of consideration for effective detection.
Wastewater experts are also working hard in developing appropriate procedures for wastewater collection, storage, and testing. Practical approaches to interpreting and utilize the resultant information are also being put in place. It is relatively the new dimension of research for SARS-CoV-2 and is already showing promising results.
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