AUSTRALIAN researchers could begin tracking COVID-19 in the sewage of aircraft and cruise ships, according to a new paper published in Journal of Travel Medicine.
The report claims testing of wastewater from arriving vessels detected genetic fragments of the COVID-19 virus, with researchers from the University of Queensland and Australia's national science agency Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation working with transport companies to test onboard wastewater from lavatories.
"Our science and research communities are among our greatest assets in our efforts to not only overcome this pandemic, but also to assist in the economic recovery from COVID-19," said Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews.
"The ability to test wastewater from planes and cruise ships is another piece of the puzzle as we look to the future of travel and keeping Australians safe."
The paper's co-author Professor Jochen Mueller from the University of Queensland's Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences said the research could help as governments and transport industries develop plans to minimise transmission associated with resuming international travel.
The research is without doubt noble, but as far as actually doing the job goes...we're happy to leave it to someone else.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 17 Jul 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 17 Jul 20
