The number of flu virus particles found in sewage water in Leuven is increasing. Elke Wollants, lab manager of the Rega Institute, reported this on Thursday. “The flu season is just around the corner,” says Wollants.
Since the corona pandemic, the Rega Institute has been measuring how many virus particles are present in the sewage water in and around Leuven. The water turned out to be an excellent indicator of the amount of virus particles in a certain area. This also allowed the institute to predict when a possible outbreak would occur.
Even now that the corona pandemic is almost over, the Rega Institute is continuing the measurements and is also examining other flu viruses and viruses in the respiratory tract. The results up to November 30 of this year show that the concentrations of the classic flu virus, influenza A, are on the rise. “That is nothing abnormal,” says Wollants. “We expect the flu season to gradually get underway.”
The doses of RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, also remain at a “high” level. “Since mid-September we have seen an increase in RSV concentrations. This is also nothing unexpected, but it is important to continue to monitor,” says Wollants.
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2023-12-08 06:36:11
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