Molecular Detection of hepatitis A Virus in Water Samples from Buffalo River, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Contaminated surface waters have been implicated in outbreaks of enteric viral infections. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the common cause of infectious hepatitis, and hepatitis A outbreaks associated with contaminated water supply have been reported in various countries. The aim of this study was to assess the virological quality of water samples from Buffalo River, a major resource located in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Using standard methods, A total of 18 water samples were collected monthly, for a period of three months (August-October 2010), from a total of six sites on Buffalo River and its dams, including Maden, Rooikrantz and Bridle Drift dams) and examined for the occurrence HAV. The virus was concentrated by the adsorption-elution method using an electronegative filter and amplified via semi-nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HAV was detected in 7 (38.9%) of the total of 18 water samples collected. While the virus was never detected at Maden dam and Eluxolzweni, it was detected at the other four sampling sites at varying degrees throughout the study period. The detection rate for HAV was 100% at the King William's Town sampling site and 66.7% at the estuary (Parkside, East London). The virus was detected only once at Rooikrantz dam (in September) and at Bridle Drift dam, Mdanlsane (in October). The presence of HAV in water samples constitutes public health risks. The consistent occurrence of the virus in Buffalo River suggests the need for assessing viral contamination of other water sources.