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Utilization of SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance in Africa—A Rapid Review

Author

Listed:
  • Tafadzwa Dzinamarira

    (School of Health Systems & Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
    ICAP at Columbia University, Harare, Zimbabwe)

  • Grant Murewanhema

    (Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe)

  • Patrick Gad Iradukunda

    (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, London WC1E 7HU, UK)

  • Roda Madziva

    (School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Helena Herrera

    (School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2UP, UK)

  • Diego F. Cuadros

    (Department of Geography and Geographic Information Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA)

  • Nigel Tungwarara

    (Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

  • Itai Chitungo

    (Chemical Pathology Unit, Department of Laboratory Diagnostic and Investigative Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe)

  • Godfrey Musuka

    (ICAP at Columbia University, Harare, Zimbabwe)

Abstract

Wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in wastewater is desirable for understanding COVID-19 in settings where financial resources and diagnostic facilities for mass individual testing are severely limited. We conducted a rapid review to map research evidence on the utilization of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance in Africa. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and the World Health Organization library databases for relevant reports, reviews, and primary observational studies. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis of the findings from included primary studies revealed the testing methodologies utilized and that detected amount of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA correlated with the number of new cases in the studied areas. The included reviews revealed the epidemiological significance and environmental risks of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater. Wastewater surveillance data at the community level can be leveraged for the rapid assessment of emerging threats and aid pandemic preparedness. Our rapid review revealed a glaring gap in the primary literature on SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance on the continent, and accelerated and adequate investment into research is urgently needed to address this gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Tafadzwa Dzinamarira & Grant Murewanhema & Patrick Gad Iradukunda & Roda Madziva & Helena Herrera & Diego F. Cuadros & Nigel Tungwarara & Itai Chitungo & Godfrey Musuka, 2022. "Utilization of SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance in Africa—A Rapid Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-10, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:2:p:969-:d:725620
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Heather Richardson, 2021. "How waste water is helping South Africa fight COVID-19," Nature, Nature, vol. 593(7860), pages 616-617, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kayla G. Barnes & Joshua I. Levy & Jillian Gauld & Jonathan Rigby & Oscar Kanjerwa & Christopher B. Uzzell & Chisomo Chilupsya & Catherine Anscombe & Christopher Tomkins-Tinch & Omar Mbeti & Edward Ca, 2023. "Utilizing river and wastewater as a SARS-CoV-2 surveillance tool in settings with limited formal sewage systems," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.

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