Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Associated with Scientific Stations in Antarctica and Possible Risk for Wildlife

TL;DR

This study detected SARS-CoV-2 in Antarctic wastewater, raising concerns about the virus spreading to local wildlife through contaminated seawater.

Contribution

The study reports the first detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from Antarctic scientific stations, highlighting potential risks of reverse zoonosis.

Findings

SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in wastewater from two Antarctic stations.

The presence of viral RNA in treated wastewater raises concerns about infecting wildlife.

Reverse zoonotic transmission from humans to Antarctic wildlife is a potential risk.

Abstract

Before December 2020, Antarctica had remained free of COVID-19 cases. The main concern during the pandemic was the limited health facilities available at Antarctic stations to deal with the disease as well as the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Antarctic wildlife through reverse zoonosis. In December 2020, 60 cases emerged in Chilean Antarctic stations, disrupting the summer campaign with ongoing isolation needs. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the wastewater of several scientific stations. In Antarctica, treated wastewater is discharged directly into the seawater. No studies currently address the recovery of infectious virus particles from treated wastewater, but their presence raises the risk of infecting wildlife and initiating new replication cycles. This study highlights the initial virus detection in wastewater from Antarctic stations, identifying viral RNA via RT-qPCR targeting various genomic regions. The virus’s RNA was found in effluent from two wastewater plants at Maxwell Bay and O’Higgins Station on King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, respectively. This study explores the potential for the reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to Antarctic wildlife due to the direct release of viral particles into seawater. The implications of such transmission underscore the need for continued vigilance and research.

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