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

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

Amanda Gammelby Qvesel, Marc Bennedbæk, Nicolai Balle Larsen, Vithiagaran Gunalan, Lene Wulff Krogsgaard, Morten Rasmussen, Lasse Dam Rasmussen

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

Amanda Gammelby Qvesel et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2023 Dec.

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.

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