Detection of Human Rotavirus in Southern Ontario Source Waters

Date

2013-01-08

Authors

Davis, Bailey Helena

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Guelph

Abstract

As part of a larger quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) study, the raw water intakes of 8 different drinking water treatment plants in Ontario were sampled for rotavirus. Group A rotavirus was detected and semi-quantified via RT-qPCR. Rotavirus was detected in 6 of 8 drinking water treatment plant raw water intakes at various sampling times during a 2 year period at estimated quantities of 0 – 513 viral genome copies/L water. As hypothesized, the virus counts showed a seasonal tendency with significant detection most likely to occur during the spring months and a correlation with turbidity measurements. To our knowledge this is the first study exploring the presence of rotavirus in Ontario source waters. With new proposed changes to the Health Canada guidelines regarding the viruses in drinking water, data on the presence of rotavirus in source waters is required for assessment of risk to public health.

Description

Keywords

Human rotavirus, RT-qPCR, Source water characterization, QMRA

Citation