ICMR STUDY

Subject: Current Events

Context: The detection of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage samples has raised the possibility of using environmental water surveillance to monitor virus activity in infected areas, researchers have said.

Concept:

• In the paper, titled “SARS-CoV-2 detection in sewage samples: standardisation of method and preliminary observations”, published recently in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, researchers claimed to have undertaken the study to standardise the methodology for detection of SARS-CoV-2 from sewage and explore the feasibility of establishing supplementary surveillance for COVID-19.
• They suggested that SARS-CoV-2 detection in waste water could be used to understand the epidemiology of COVID-19. “
• Decreasing concentration or absence of virus at previously SARS-CoV-2-positive sewage sampling sites may indicate successful implementation of COVID-19 control strategies.
• It may also provide evidence of the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2-infected populations and confirmation of COVID-19-free zones.
• The study, conducted by ICMR-National Institute of Virology, (Mumbai unit) and Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, ICMR, Delhi, said the virus was also detected in stool samples of patients, indicating active infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Similar environmental surveillance for the polio virus had played a critical role in the eradication of wild polio virus globally.