Detection of measles virus genotype D8 in wastewater of Brussels capital region, Belgium, March 2024

Abstract

Following the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) threat assessment brief regarding increased measles case numbers and outbreaks in Europe, we investigated sewage samples from different wastewater treatment plants in Belgium for the presence of measles virus (MV). Samples taken from Brussels North were found to contain MV, which could be characterized as genotype D8. Twelve measles cases were reported in the Brussels capital region in February/March 2024, but additional infections are likely occurring under the radar.