PGI-ICMR-WHO study finds Coronavirus in Lko sewage

LUCKNOW : A study conducted by the microbiology department of the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) along with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and World Health Organisation (WHO), has confirmed the presence of Coronavirus in sewage water in Khadra Rukpur area of Daliganj, in the state capital.

“Previously, the Sars-Cov-2 virus (which causes Covid-19) has been found in the sewage in the UK and the Netherlands, but how far it survives in water, how far it can impact humans who clean it, is yet to be studied. However, SGPGIMS is planning a larger study to know the impact of the virus spread through sewage,” said Ujjwala Ghoshal, head of microbiology, SGPGIMS.

Ghoshal said, “The positive report came in on Tuesday and we have begun studying the strain of Coronavirus found in the sewer water of Khadra Rukpur area of Lucknow. This is a very important study conducted by SGPGIMS supported by ICMR and WHO on the spread of Covid-19 in the city. The sample was taken by a WHO team on May 19. In the past, we have done studies with WHO to detect the presence of polio virus in sewer water. ”

She said that the presence of the virus was detected in the waste flowing in the sewer line in the area. “There is a possibility that the virus came through the faeces of Coronavirus patients, as studies abroad have confirmed the presence of Coronavirus in faeces of 50% patients. So, there is a strong possibility of its presence in sewer lines. That’s why a further study is important to know the impact of viruses in sewer lines,” she added.

Ghoshal said, “To eliminate harmful viruses we keep studying the presence of various viruses like polio in sewer water, drain water and rivers with the help of WHO. But now WHO has started collecting samples for detection of Coronavirus in sewer, drain and river water. We received three

THE VIRUS WAS FOUND IN SEWAGE WATER IN KHADRA RUKPUR AREA OF DALIGANJ IN THE STATE CAPITAL

samples from various parts of the city. While the sample from Khadra returned positive, the other two samples were negative. WHO will collect more samples in the days to come. After the detection of virus in the sewage, experts can frame strategies to stop the spread of the virus.”

Radha Krishna Dhiman, director, SGPGIMS, said, “Coronavirus spreads mainly via droplets of respiratory secretions. It has also been detected in stool samples of some patients, which is primarily a fragment of the virus. The presence of Sars-Cov-2 RNA in sewage samples has not been proven and requires further studies. Currently there is no evidence that Coronavirus spreads through water.”

However, microbiologist Gopal Nath, professor at the department of microbiology, IMS-BHU, said, “The presence of Sars-Cov-2 in sewage cannot be ruled out because human secretions and excreta reach the sewer lines directly or indirectly. Since the Covid-19 disease is a condition of viraemia, therefore, all human body fluids, which are excreted, will have the virus. Though we haven’t conducted any study in this regard so far, the presence of Covid-19 virus in sewage is most likely.”

Dr PK Gupta, pathologist and microbiologist, said, “It is almost impossible for a virus in water bodies or sewage to infect a healthy person. The virus should be in a living being for it to be able to infect others but the virus is dead when excreted out of the body by patients. So, there is no need to panic.”