Presence of enteric viruses in water samples for consumption in Colombia: Challenges for supply systems.
BACKGROUND
Since drinking water can be a vehicle for the transmission of pathogens, the detection of enteric viruses in these water samples is essential to establish the appropriate measures to control and prevent associated diseases.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the results obtained for enteric viruses in water samples for human consumption received at the Colombian Instituto Nacional de Salud and establish their association with the data on water quality in Colombian municipalities.


METHODS
We conducted a descriptive-retrospective analysis of the results obtained in the detection of rotavirus, enterovirus, hepatitis A virus and adenovirus in water samples received for complementary studies of enteric hepatitis, acute diarrheal disease and foodborne diseases. Data were correlated with the results of water quality surveillance determined by the national human consumption water quality index (IRCA).


RESULTS
Of the 288 samples processed from 102 Colombian municipalities, 50.7% were positive for viruses: 26.73% for hepatitis A virus, 20.48% for enterovirus and rotavirus and 18.05% for adenovirus. Viruses were detected in 48.26% of non-treated water samples and in 45.83% of treated water samples. The IRCA index showed no correlation with the presence of viruses.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of viruses in water represents a public health risk and, therefore, the prevention of virus transmission through water requires appropriate policies to reinforce water supply systems and improve epidemiological surveillance.
Laboratorio de Virus Entéricos, Grupo de Virología, Subdirección Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia, Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia. dpelaez@ins.gov.co.
Dioselina
D
Peláez
Blanca Lisseth
BL
Guzmán
Johanna
J
Rodríguez
Felipe
F
Acero
Gerardo
G
Nava
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D003105:Colombia; D004770:Enterovirus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004769:Enterovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014780:Viruses / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply
Enterovirus; hepatitis A; rotavirus; water pollution; water supply