Although SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses are transmitted mainly directly between individuals, the permanence of the virus in the environment has the power to cause new outbreaks that can impair the effectiveness of efforts and measures applied. That is why the Environmental and Biomedical Virology group of the I2SysBio is conducting two investigations to better understand this type of virus expansion.

The first of these projects is Environmental COVID, funded by the Carlos III Health Institute, and in which it is intended to determine the presence of the virus in environmental samples and its potential indirect transmission. Previous studies have shown that similar viruses have been detected in wastewater and that viral particles from these could remain infective long enough to constitute a risk. Researcher Pilar Domingo also highlights the epidemiological surveillance and control function that allows the analysis of wastewater.

“Thanks to Environmental COVID, we have been doing epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater from Valencia since the beginning of the pandemic. This methodology allows us to know quickly, easily and economically what is happening in the population, since the wastewater contains viruses from both COVID-19 patients, as well as from presymptomatic and asymptomatic individuals”, stated Domingo-Calap.

The data collected show a correlation with the prevalence of the virus in the population, so it can be used to monitor the behaviour of the virus and detect possible outbreaks. Furthermore, the sequencing of these data, explains the researcher, “will allow us to know the variants that circulate in Valencia since the beginning of the pandemic”.

The group also leads FecOrSARS, a project with which they want to determine the possible route of faecal transmission and whether it can occur through wastewater. Having information on all possible transmission routes is important, explains Pilar Domingo-Calap, to influence decision-making and measures to be applied.

This research may be of special interest in underdeveloped areas, without adequate sanitation and sewerage conditions that could represent a route of transmission, but it requires a detailed study to validate these routes of infection. “Although SARS-CoV-2 is mainly a respiratory virus, it has been seen that it also replicates in the intestinal mucosa. The presence of infective particles will be studied in 100 patients by taking longitudinal stool samples, which will allow to determine if the faecal-oral route is decisive in the transmission of the coronavirus.”

Links to project websites:

FecOrSARS:  https://links.uv.es/BTltu8X

EnviromentalCOVID:  https://links.uv.es/ijk5Gy6