Waste water in Prague is newly tested for the presence of the monkeypox virus
Waste water sampling equipment. Photo source: I agree PVK
Prague waterworks and canalization (PVK) expanded their activities in the field of waste water monitoring with subsequent PCR for the presence of the coronavirus and the presence of the monkeypox virus. PVK spokesman Tomáš Mrázek informed about it.
“Since the beginning of August, three times a week we have been taking waste water samples at the inlet of the existing water line and the new water line of the Prague Central Wastewater Treatment Plant. The selection of monitoring locations thus speaks volumes about the situation in the entire territory of the metropolis,” said the company’s CEO, Petr Mrkos.
Pre-treatment of the collected samples, optimization of the PCR method and subsequent analyzes are provided by the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague (VŠCHT) and the Military Health Institute. “We expect the final results at the end of August,” Mrkos pointed out, adding that PVK continuously consults with the Hygiene Station of the capital city of Prague.
“The Prague hygiene station considers the close cooperation between PVK and VŠCHT to be very useful. Any new findings, technologies, analyzes are beneficial for epidemiological issues in the field of public health protection. From the examination of wastewater for monkey pox, we expect, first of all, monitoring of the situation and monitoring of development trends. It can be assumed that there are more cases than are reported. We are ready to consult the results of the examination and react adequately in the event of an adverse situation,” said the director of the hygiene station Zdeňka Shumová.
PVK has been monitoring wastewater in selected locations since July 2020, thanks to a jointly developed method with VŠCHT. Since last September, the wastewater monitoring project for the possible occurrence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus at selected Prague elementary schools, medical and social facilities, student dormitories, shopping centers and transport hubs has also been launched, Mrázek recalled.