‘Don’t put your head under water’: enteric viruses in Brazilian recreational waters

Abstract

Like in many other countries, virologic analyses are not routinely performed in Brazil in monitoring water quality for recreational purposes. We surveyed current research regarding viral contamination of recreational water environments in Brazil. Among the enteric viruses studied in Brazilian recreational waters, we highlight adenoviruses, rotaviruses, enteroviruses and noroviruses. Although there has been relatively little research on outbreaks related to bathing in recreational water environments in Brazil, noroviruses and adenoviruses are the viruses that are most often related to outbreaks. Better surveillance of the occurrence of enteric viruses in water could improve the assessment of risk to human health as well as indicate the sources of contamination and thus demonstrate the importance of adequate environmental sanitation.

The Emergence of New Rotavirus Strains in America

“…Another study reveals the presence of the G4 P [6] strain in a Paraguayan child, where genomic analysis reveal a genome similar to that of pigs; which suggests a direct transmission from animal to human [21]. Uncommon genotypes have also been detected circulating in this country, G9 P [6] and G12 P [9], that are associated with transmission of feline rotavirus segments, where possibly inter-species transmission occurred from feline to human population (Table . 1. C.) [97].…”

“…A study done in this country, reveals rare strains in humans that contain segments of equine rotavirus for (VP4) P8 [104,105]. A G3P [9] sample from a child with acute gastroenteritis revealed in the study of phylogeny a closer relationship with genes of animal origin, such as the chiroptera, alpaca, horse and monkey [106]. Other studies on indigenous children from Brazil, revealed a strain considered unusual, (G8 P [6]) [107]; Phylogenetic studies of these strains revealed segments of bovine, porcine and goat rotavirus [107] (Table . 1.…”

“…Rotavirus infection follows the fecal-oral route [4], this virus is very stable in the environment, being able to survive for long periods of time [4]. Studies have shown that the respiratory tract is also involved, as is the case with the influenza virus, the detection of rotavirus in drinking water for human consumption [7] contaminated water, swimming pools [8,9], in food [10] and in contaminated objects; it is well documented [4].…”

Literature Review: Water Quality of Public Bathing, Potential Health Problems and Water Borne Diseases on Visitors

“…This virus has a high rate of person-to-person transmission. In Brazil, Adenovirus has been considered as most outbreaks virus (32).…”

Detection and molecular characterization of enteric adenovirus in treated wastewater in the Brazilian Federal District

“…Considering the high stability of these pathogens in the environment, their resistance to the treatment processes currently applied to the effluents by the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), and the lack of indicators of viral contamination to ensure the quality of the effluents discharged into the environment [16,17], the aim of the present study was to evaluate the quality of water bodies in the Brazilian Federal District that accept treated effluents from WWTPs, looking for viral contamination that could threaten the public health.…”