Potential secondary transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via wastewater

The new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has spread internationally and whilst the current focus of those dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is understandably restricting its direct transmission, the potential for secondary transmission via wastewater should not be underestimated. The virus has been identif...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2020-12, Vol.749, p.142358-142358, Article 142358
Main Authors: Liu, Dasheng, Thompson, Julian R., Carducci, Annalaura, Bi, Xuejun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coronavirus Infections
COVID-19
Humans
Low-income countries
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2
Secondary transmission
Short Communication
Wastewater
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Summary:The new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has spread internationally and whilst the current focus of those dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is understandably restricting its direct transmission, the potential for secondary transmission via wastewater should not be underestimated. The virus has been identified in human fecal and wastewater samples from different countries and potential cases of transmission via wastewater have been reported. Our recommendations for hospital wastewater treatment, municipal wastewater plants, sewage sludge, water reuse and aquatic environments are designed to reduce the risk of such transmission, and contribute to limiting the resurgence of COVID-19 as current restrictions are relaxed. A particular urgent recommendation focusses on supporting low-income countries in tackling the potential for secondary transmission via wastewater. [Display omitted] •Potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via wastewater should not be underestimated.•Reducing risks of transmission could contribute to limiting COVID-19 resurgence.•Future research should focus on the virus in different aquatic environments.•Low-income countries should be assisted to improve wastewater surveillance.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142358