Environmental-based surveillance as complementary tool for epidemic monitoring under a One Health approach

Chantal J. Snoeck, Manon Chassaing, Cécile Walzac, Aurélie Sausy, Delphine Collard, Gwenaëlle Le Coroller, Joël Mossong, Anne Vergison, Dritan Bejko, Manon Bourg, Judith Hübschen, Henry Michel Cauchie, Leslie Ogorzaly

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Wastewater-based epidemiology has long been implemented effectively for the surveillance of enteric viruses, such as polio. It however proved particularly successful in monitoring the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 at the community level. The large amount of data from both the population and wastewater highlighted the correlation between cases and viral RNA levels in water. This opened avenues for extending wastewater analysis to a wider range of non-enteric pathogens. Still, surveillance of viruses from animal sources remains largely overlooked, despite being essential for a One Health approach and epidemic preparedness. Our project therefore aimed at implementing a broader environmental surveillance by monitoring wastewater (WW) and surface water (SW) for a panel of viruses impacting both human and animal health.
Material and Methods: The four largest wastewater treatment plants in Luxembourg (covering about 52% of the population) were sampled 1 to 3 times per week for 4 years. Ten additional sites, including ponds, recreational waters, and rivers, were selected across the country to cover wildlife, livestock or mosquito impacted ecosystems and were sampled twice a month for 1 year.
Following water concentration steps, nucleic acids were extracted and the presence of a range of RNA viruses (representing the Orthomyxoviridae, Coronaviridae, Pneumoviridae, Flaviviridae, Caliciviridae and Picornaviridae families) was assessed by RT-qPCR or RT-ddPCR.
Results: As expected, enteric viruses (Norovirus - NoV, Enterovirus - EntV) were the most frequently detected viruses in WW. Interestingly, influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and seasonal human coronaviruses (CoV) were also reliably detected with seasonal variations. For pathogens subject to mandatory notifications to the national authorities, viral RNA levels were
significantly correlated with the number of clinical cases. In SW, EntV were detected in all types of collection sites. NoV were particularly present in SW impacted by livestock and to a lesser extent in sites impacted by wildlife. Bovine CoV was seldom detected in rivers close to cattle farms, while influenza A, porcine respiratory CoV, bovine RSV and Usutu virus were not detected, reflecting their lower circulation and/or the lesser applicability of the methods for such viruses.
Conclusion: Our results highlighted the added value of environmental Surveillance as a complementary tool for monitoring viral epidemics at the national scale. Our project lays the groundwork for wider implementation and further development, in particular to expand the range of human pathogens and further improve methods for SW surveillance.
Original languageEnglish
Pages82
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 27 Sept 2024
Event16th EPIZONE Annual Meeting: Viruses, vectors and wildlife - Uppsala, Sweden
Duration: 25 Sept 202427 Sept 2024

Conference

Conference16th EPIZONE Annual Meeting
Country/TerritorySweden
CityUppsala
Period25/09/2427/09/24

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