Epidemiological surveillance of the norovirus in wastewater sources in Central Gujarat

Abstract

Present study was aimed to determine the molecular epidemiology of norovirus in wastewater samples in Central Gujarat, India. A total of 100 wastewater samples were collected from five central districts of Gujarat, India — Vadodara, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, and Mahisagar (n = 20 each). Viral RNA was isolated, transformed into cDNA, and then screened using conventional PCR with specific primers for norovirus genogroups GI and GII. As a result, Kheda has the highest GII detection rate (20%), followed by Anand (15%). Additionally, GI-positive samples were detected in Kheda and Vadodara districts (1 sample each). In conclusion, the identification of norovirus genogroups in wastewater emphasizes the importance of environmental surveillance as a sensitive and non-invasive method for tracking enteric virus circulation at the community level and assisting with public health initiatives.