Population-level genomic surveillance of human norovirus using wastewater-based whole-genome sequencing.

Wastewater-based whole-genome sequencing detects population-level norovirus genotype shifts, including a rise in GII.17[P17], during a local outbreak in Gwangju, Korea.

• Why it matters: Monitoring community-level viral dynamics is crucial for early outbreak detection and understanding virus evolution, especially when clinical data may be limited or delayed.
• What they did: The study analyzed wastewater samples using RT-qPCR and next-generation sequencing, revealing genotype distributions, genetic variations, and correlations with epidemiological data across different treatment plants.
• The result: Findings demonstrate wastewater surveillance captures genotype shifts and viral diversity, including outbreak-associated variants, supporting its role as a complementary tool for community norovirus monitoring.