SARS-CoV-2 Variants BQ.1 and XBB.1.5 in Wastewater of Aircraft Flying from China to Denmark, 2023

Emerg Infect Dis. 2023 Dec;29(12):2559-2561. doi: 10.3201/eid2912.230717. Epub 2023 Oct 26.

Abstract

We analyzed wastewater samples from 14 aircraft arriving in Denmark directly from China during January 9-February 12, 2023. Wastewater from 11 aircraft was SARS-CoV-2-positive by PCR; 6 predominantly contained BQ.1 and XBB.1 subvariants. Wastewater-based surveillance can contribute to public health monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging infectious agents.

Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 nucleic acid testing; China; Denmark; PCR; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; aircraft; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; respiratory infections; sequence analysis; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; wastewater; whole-genome sequencing; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • Aircraft
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • China / epidemiology
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
  • Wastewater

Substances

  • Wastewater

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants