Aims:  To assess the presence of human adenovirus (HAdV), hepatitis A (HAV) virus and rotavirus A (RV‐A) in environmental samples from the Southern region of Brazil and to provide viral contamination data for further epidemiological studies and governmental actions. Methods and Results:  Water samples from various sources (seawater, lagoon brackish water, urban wastewater, drinking water sources‐with and without chlorination and water derived from a polluted creek) and oysters of two growing areas were analysed by enzymatic amplification (nested PCR and RT‐PCR), quantification of HAdV genome (qPCR) and viral viability assay by integrated cell culture‐PCR (ICC‐PCR). From June 2007 to May 2008 in a total of 84 water samples, 54 (64·2%) were positive for HAdV, 16 (19%) for RV‐A and 7 (8·3%) for HAV. Viability assays showed nonpositive samples for HAV; though, infectious viruses were confirmed for RV‐A (12·5%) and HAdV (88·8%). Oyster samples by PCR were positive for HAdV (87·5%) and RV‐A (8·3%), but none for HAV. Quantitative PCR in oysters showed means loads in genomic copies (gc) of 9·1 × 104 gc g−1 (oyster farm south) and 1·5 × 105 gc g−1 (oyster farm north) and in waters ranging from 2·16 × 106 (lagoon water) to 1·33 × 107 gc l−1 (untreated drinking water). Conclusions:  This study has shown a widespread distribution of the analysed viruses in this particular region with high loads of HAdV in the environment which suggests the relevance of evaluating these viruses as positive indicators of viral contamination of water. Significance and Impact of the Study:  The environmental approach in this study provides data concerning the prevalence, viability and quantification of enteric viruses in environmental waters and oysters in the South region of Brazil and has indicated that their presence might pose a risk to population in contact with the environmental samples searched.

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Aims:  To assess norovirus (NoV) contamination in aquatic ecosystems in the city of Florianópolis, in Southern Brazil, to provide epidemiological data that can support actions for environmental contamination control. Methods and Results:  An adsorption–elution method, followed by ultrafiltration, was performed to concentrate the viruses. NoV were detected using semi‐nested PCR and quantified by real‐time PCR. From June 2007 to May 2008, NoV were detected in 23% (22/94) of the samples analysed, including seawater, drinking water, superficial water (creek and brackish lagoon) and treated sewage. The mean viral loads for genogroups (G)I and GII in treated sewage samples were 297 and 440 genomic copies (gc) l−1, respectively, whereas creek water samples contained 2603 and 1361 gc l−1, respectively. Six samples were sequenced: two samples were GII.4, two were GII.2 and two were GI.3. Conclusions:  NoV were detected in all water types analysed, demonstrating the widespread contamination of this geographical area with several cocirculating strains belonging to GI and GII. Significance and Impact of the Study:  This study demonstrates the environmental spread of NoV in environmental waters and highlights the potential hazard for human health following the consumption of or contact with these waters, which could result in waterborne or foodborne acute gastroenteritis.