Wastewater-Based Epidemiology for Monitoring Enteric Viruses: A Case Study in Valladolid, Spain (2020-2021)
Researchers at the University of Burgos have conducted a study on the use of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to monitor enteric viruses. The study, published in Frontiers in Microbiology, focused on the incidence of foodborne outbreaks in Valladolid, Spain, from October 2020 to October 2021. The findings suggest that WBE can be a valuable tool for monitoring the presence and evolution of enteric viruses within a population.
Key Takeaways:
- The study employed WBE to monitor the major enteric viruses that are potential hazards to public health, including human noroviruses genogroup I and II, human astroviruses, rotaviruses, and hepatitis A and E viruses.
- The study found that both genogroups of noroviruses exhibited the highest normalized concentration levels, followed by rotaviruses and human astroviruses.
- Positivity rates were greater for noroviruses, especially NoVGII, with 62% and 83.30% of samples testing positive, respectively.
- Lower concentration levels of the monitored pathogens were detected compared to later periods, likely due to public health measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statistics:
- The study detected 5.42 ± 0.08 and 5.44 ± 0.09 Log gc/L of noroviruses genogroup I and II, respectively.
- The study found a positivity rate of 46.70% for rotaviruses and 41.30% for human astroviruses.
- The study detected only one case of hepatitis E virus (0.67% positivity) and no cases of hepatitis A virus throughout the study period.
- The study concluded that WBE can be a valuable tool for the early detection and monitoring of enteric virus outbreaks, particularly during public health crises.
Sources:
- Wastewater-based epidemiology for monitoring enteric viruses: a case study in Valladolid, Spain (2020-2021). Frontiers in Microbiology, 2025,16.
- Journal article available at https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1586478.