The detection of monkeypox virus DNA in wastewater samples in the Netherlands
Eline F. de Jonge, Céline Peterse, Jaap Koelewijn, Anne-Merel R. van der Drift, Rudolf F.H.J. van der Beek, Erwin Nagelkerke, Willemijn J. Lodder
Abstract
As of 18 August 2022, 1087 confirmed cases of monkeypox are reported in the Netherlands. Monkeypox virus likely ends up in wastewater because i) skin flakes from areas affected by the typical rash and scabbing may wash off, and ii) monkeypox virus has been detected in animal and human feces. Here we describe a method to qualitatively detect monkeypox virus DNA in wastewater, that may prove a valuable surveillance tool for outbreaks.
Topics & Concepts
MonkeypoxVirologyOutbreakFecesVirusBiologyPoxviridaeVacciniaMicrobiologyGeneticsGeneRecombinant DNAPoxvirus research and outbreaksBacillus and Francisella bacterial researchHerpesvirus Infections and Treatments