July 15, 2020

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Commercial Passenger Aircraft and Cruise Ship Wastewater: A Surveillance Tool for Assessing the Presence of COVID-19 Infected Travelers

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was reported in 21 samples from aircraft and cruise ship wastewater sanitation systems (adsorption-extraction by electronegative membrane [n=13] and ultrafiltration by Amicon [n=8]). Concentrations were near the limit of detection for the assay. Findings suggested the surveillance of wastewater from large transport vessels with their own sanitation systems could be a complementary data source to prioritize clinical testing and contact tracing among disembarking passengers. 

Ahmed et al. (July 14, 2020). Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Commercial Passenger Aircraft and Cruise Ship Wastewater: A Surveillance Tool for Assessing the Presence of COVID-19 Infected Travelers. Journal of Travel Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taaa116