What is it about?

This study investigates the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant BA.2.86 in Bangkok, Thailand, through wastewater surveillance. The researchers analyzed 432 wastewater samples collected from various locations in Bangkok between June and July 2023. Their results showed an increasing trend in viral RNA concentration during this period. On July 28, 2023, they detected the BA.2.86 variant in five out of 432 samples (1.15%) from different commercial or public venues with closed sanitation systems. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these samples had mutations matching those found in BA.2.86 genome sequences from other countries. The researchers' findings suggest that the BA.2.86 variant was circulating in Thailand, despite no reported human cases in Asia at the time. This study highlights the importance of wastewater-based epidemiological surveillance in detecting and monitoring new SARS-CoV-2 variants, especially in regions with limited resources and decentralized wastewater systems.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This study demonstrates the power of wastewater surveillance in detecting new SARS-CoV-2 variants like BA.2.86 before they appear in clinical cases. In the post-pandemic phase, where clinical reporting has decreased, this approach fills crucial surveillance gaps, offering a cost-effective and comprehensive method for monitoring virus circulation in communities. The detection of BA.2.86 in Thailand, despite no reported human cases in Asia at the time, underscores the global health implications of this research and the interconnectedness of viral spread. By providing early warnings, this method can inform timely public health interventions, potentially mitigating the spread of concerning variants.

Perspectives

This study demonstrates the value of wastewater surveillance in detecting emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, exemplified by identifying BA.2.86 in Bangkok before any reported human cases in Asia. The research highlights this method's potential to fill gaps in traditional clinical surveillance, especially in resource-limited settings and complex urban environments.

Assoc. Prof. Charin Modchang
Mahidol University

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Tracing the new SARS-CoV-2 variant BA.2.86 in the community through wastewater surveillance in Bangkok, Thailand, The Lancet Infectious Diseases, November 2023, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(23)00620-5.
You can read the full text:

Read

Contributors

The following have contributed to this page