A systematic review on the incidence of influenza viruses in wastewater matrices: Implications for Public Health

Abstract

AbstractInfluenza has historically been and remains a significant global health concern, causing substantial illness worldwide. Influenza is a serious public health issue in both industrialized and developing nations and it is characterized as an acute respiratory illness resulting from infection with influenza virus. Influenza viruses are RNA viruses with a negative sense and enveloped structure. These viruses possess segmented genomes, with influenza A and B viruses being the prevalent types affecting human populations. These viruses have been associated with disease outbreaks in some regions of the world as a result of excrement being introduced into the environment. Given the global implications of influenza and the limited availability of data for many countries, particularly in the African region where the prevalence and incidence of influenza remain largely unknown, there is a lack of published information regarding the detection of influenza viruses. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine or review the frequency of influenza virus detection in wastewater samples, serving as an initial step toward gaining a better understanding of the burden of influenza. This includes exploring its epidemiology, the consequences of severe influenza infections, and the development of strategies to enhance supportive care and virus-specific therapies in resource-constrained, low-income settings.