LAHORE: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory for Emerging Pathogens has detected SARS-CoV-2 genome from the urine and fecal samples of the Covid patients and sewage in a bid to develop a smart surveillance strategy at the community level for better execution of smart lockdowns.

This pilot study was conducted with the cooperation of the provincial healthcare department, in collaboration with Institute of Public Health Lahore, to further strengthen the efforts of the government in the fight Covid-19.

The smart surveillance of sewage water for the genome of etiological agents of Covid-19 may reveal the actual burden of a locality where under-reporting and address fraud is expected. It will also aid in better execution of smart lockdowns.

SARS-CoV-2 genome in sewage only indicates Covid-19 burden in a particular area. However, it does not reveal if the virus is in infectious or non-infectious form.

UVAS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad termed the study another great contribution by the BSL-3 Lab and appreciated Prof Dr Tahir Yaqub and his team for initiating this research.

He reiterated that the UVAS was committed to contributing to the best of its capabilities to the efforts of the government in its fight against the coronavirus.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2020