Title: Determination of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples and its potential indirect transmission
Research groups: The Environmental and Biomedical Viruses Lab, Virus Experimental Evolution and Evolutionary Systems Virology
Although SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses are primarily transmitted directly between individuals during epidemic phases, the permanence of the virus in the environment has the potential to cause new outbreaks despite mitigation efforts. SARS-CoV-1 was detected in hospital wastewater in China and it was shown that the viral particles could remain infective long enough to pose a risk. We will research the potential for environmental transmission of the virus under our country's specific conditions. To do this we will first focus on the analysis of wastewater treatment plants and the release of the virus via the gut. We will also study the stability of the virus, as well as its presence in other environments, such as common surfaces like plastics, stainless steel, or glass. This will provide valuable information for epidemic management, as it will serve as a tool for epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.
Pilar Domingo Calap
- Rafael Sanjuán
- José M. Cuevas
- Javier Pemán
- Santiago F. Elena
Instituto de Salud Carlos III
- Universitat de Valencia
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe
- Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunitat Valenciana
- CSIC
