Novel SARS-CoV-2 mutations found in floodwaters near homeless communities

By Dr. Sushama R. Chaphalkar, PhD.Apr 4 2024Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc. In a recent study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, researchers conducted environmental surveillance to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in two flood control channels in the United States , influenced by homeless individuals.

RNA of SARS-CoV-2 can sustain in water bodies for extended periods, while infected individuals can continue shedding significant amounts of viral RNA in fecal matter for up to seven months. Despite previous research demonstrating the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in surface waters, conducting whole genome sequencing from flood control channels for variant identification is less frequent, primarily due to difficulties in collecting and analyzing samples.

Results and discussion SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 15 samples , with concentrations between 2.8 and 4.8 log10 gc/L. Higher detection frequencies occurred in the first two months of 2022, corresponding to the peak of the first Omicron wave. This aligns with the maximal concentrations observed at the WWTP. PMMoV , a fecal indicator virus, was detected in almost all samples, with concentrations between 4.0 and 6.3 log10 gc/L, consistent with previous studies.

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