Virus in aquatic systems and public health implications

Abstract

The use of the hydraulic resources by humans raised the interest on the presence of virus in aquatic systems, due to the public health risk they represent. We present a revision on the occurrence of virus in different aquatic systems, the diseases caused produced by human virus and their symptoms, including enterovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, calicivirus, adenovirus and hepatitis A virus. Implications in public health in relation with the existing regulations for human use and consumption, as well as residual treated and reused water, are analyzed. We mention the impact of viral diseases related the water for human use and consumption, giving some idea of Mexico´s situation. The methods used for the detection of virus, as well as the common methods for water disinfection used for human with a specific focus on viral contamination. We conclude that human viruses capable to persist in the environment have severe effects, specially for infants. The results of this revision suggest that research should be conducted in Mexico and other tropical areas to know what is the situation with viral contamination in groundwater, freshwater and treated wastewater for reuse. It is relevant the evaluation of enterovirus as indicators of the presence of viral fecal contamination and bacteriophages intenting to include them in the water quality standards.