Project: Surveillance of Emerging Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistances in Aquatic Ecosystems
| Acronym | SARA (Reference Number: ID 280) |
| Duration | 01/09/2021 - 31/08/2024 |
| Project Topic | Appropriate methods for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) and a better understanding of the fate of pathogenic viruses and antibioticresistant bacteria from the sources to river basins and estuaries are urgently required. Our project will determine the prevalence of pathogenic viruses (including SARS-CoV-2), microbial indicators, antibiotic resistance, and microbial source tracking (MST) markers in wastewater, surface water, coastal sea waters, sediment and bivalve molluscan shellfish (BMS) in catchments located in different climate areas (Sweden, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Mozambique, and Uganda). The project aims are: (i) method harmonization and training of European and African partners, (ii) SARS-CoV-2 detection in raw wastewater as a biomarker of COVID-19 cases, (iii) enteric viruses, antibiotic resistances and MST markers monitoring in aquatic environments, (iv) evaluation of sediments and BMS as integral reservoirs, (v) determination of the impact of climate and extreme weather events, and (vi) microbial risk assessment for water resources. Results and recommendations will be transferred to the scientific community by peer-reviewed papers and conference presentations. International health and environment organisations as well as authorities and waterworks that represent end-users on a global, European and African level will participate in the Stakeholder Forum. |
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Project Results (after finalisation) |
1. Method harmonization for detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2, enteric viruses, antibiotic resistances and MST markers. 2. Checking the suitability of SARS-CoV-2 detection in raw wastewater as an early warning tool and allowing an accurate estimation of COVID-19 infectivity and spread. 3. Better understanding of the occurrence and fate of enteric viruses, antibiotic resistances and microbial source tracking markers in the aquatic environment. 4. Evaluation of the role of sediment and BMS as integral monitoring elements for viruses, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes. 5. Determination of the impact of climate and extreme weather events on the transmission of emerging pathogens and antibiotic resistances. 6. Microbial risk assessment for water resources. 7. Development of monitoring recommendations. 8. Dissemination of results to the scientific and end-user communities. |
| Network | AquaticPollutants |
| Call | 1st AquaticPollutants Joint Call 2020 |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser (TZW) | Coordinator | Germany |
| 2 | Universitat de Barcelona (UB) | Partner | Spain |
| 3 | Ministry of Health (PHLTA) | Partner | Israel |
| 4 | Ecole Centrale de Lyon (ECL) | Partner | France |
| 5 | European Union Reference Laboratory for Foodborne Viruses, Swedish Food Agency (SFA) | Partner | Sweden |
| 6 | Universidade Lisboa, Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST) | Partner | Portugal |
| 7 | Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) | Partner | Uganda |
| 8 | Eduardo Mondlane University (EMU) | Partner | Mozambique |