Is the coronavirus in our sewers?
In the Netherlands, the COVID-19 virus was indeed found in the sewage water of North Brabant and large cities such as Tilburg and Amsterdam. The RNA of the virus was also found in the sewers in Belgium. Some patients with Covid-19 excrete the virus through feces. In this way, COVID-19 enters the sewers through the toilets.
The Dutch government warns people who work with wastewater. They should avoid swallowing the wastewater and inhaling its droplets. We also think it is better to avoid this in non-corona times.
Other microorganisms, such as measles, can also be detected in sewage water. This way, the number of infections with these conditions can be monitored.
Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM)
Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 0000-00-00 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024
|