Enteric Viruses

Enteric Viruses: Increasing extreme weather events, like prolonged rainstorms and heatwaves, may raise the risk of exposure to sewage-associated viruses in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

• About: Enteric viruses are the principal cause of food- and waterborne illnesses worldwide.
• Types: Includes noroviruses, sapovirus, hepatitis A and E viruses, Aichi virus, enteric adenoviruses, rotaviruses, and astroviruses.
• Transmission: Spread through contaminated food and water, with potential for zoonotic transmission.
• Survival in Water: In seawater at 30°C, viruses remained infectious for up to 3 days; at cooler temperatures, up to 1 week.
• Under sunlight, viruses survived less than 24 hours on sunny days but remained viable for around 2.5 days during cloudy weather.
• Health Risks: Recreational water users are at risk due to sewage discharge and agricultural runoff.
• Global Concern: Many countries still release untreated or partially treated sewage into natural waters, posing a global health risk.