Pandemic danger to the deep: The risk of marine mammals contracting SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater

Abstract

We are in unprecedented times with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has impacted public health, the economy and our society on a global scale. In addition, the impacts of COVID-19 permeate into our environment and wildlife as well. Here, we discuss the essential role of wastewater treatment and management during these times. A consequence of poor wastewater management is the discharge of untreated wastewater carrying infectious SARS-CoV-2 into natural water systems that are home to marine mammals. Here, we predict the susceptibility of marine mammal species using a modelling approach. We identified that many species of whale, dolphin and seal, as well as otters, are predicted to be highly susceptible to infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In addition, geo-mapping highlights how current wastewater management in Alaska may lead to susceptible marine mammal populations being exposed to the virus. Localities such as Cold Bay, Naknek, Dillingham and Palmer may require additional treatment of their wastewater to prevent virus spillover through sewage. Since over half of these susceptibility species are already at risk worldwide, the release of the virus via untreated wastewater could have devastating consequences for their already declining populations. For these reasons, we discuss approaches that can be taken by the public, policymakers and wastewater treatment facilities to reduce the risk of virus spillover in our natural water systems. Thus, we indicate the potential for reverse zoonotic transmission of COVID-19 and its impact on marine wildlife; impacts that can be mitigated with appropriate action to prevent further damage to these vulnerable populations.

Letter to the Editor regarding Mathavarajah et al. (2020) Pandemic danger to the deep: The risk of marine mammals contracting SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater

“…We read with great interest the work by Mathavarajah et al (2020) “Pandemic danger to the deep: The risk of marine mammals contracting SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater,” (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143346 ). We appreciate the novelty of the work and the focus on marine mammal protection from SARS-CoV-2 transmission via wastewater, but we would like to take the opportunity to highlight new relevant research and contextualize some of the discussion in the article.…”

“… Bivins et al (2020) reported a 90% reduction in viable SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in 1.5 days in wastewater at room temperature and demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was significantly more persistent than infectious virus. This work was not available at the time of publication of Mathavarajah et al (2020) . We agree with the authors that more research on survival of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater is needed to better interpret risk in various environments.…”

Interacting Proteins, Polymorphisms and the Susceptibility of Animals to SARS-CoV-2

“…Although this might not sound too alarming, there is still the potential for marine mammals to be in contact with the virus near sewage outlets. Recently, the issue of the susceptibility of marine mammals to SARS-CoV-2 has been further explored [ 96 ]. Here, the ACE2 receptor was once again used as a predictor of virus susceptibility.…”

SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Animals: Reservoirs for Reverse Zoonosis and Models for Study

“…What threat this may pose to aquatic life and those animals residing close to contaminated water has yet to be determined. Using an ACE2 receptor modeling approach, marine mammal susceptibility to infection has been evaluated, and fifteen species of seals, whales, and dolphins were identified as potentially vulnerable [ 88 ]. There is currently no data to support the presence of the virus in mammals exposed to wastewater contamination.…”