Molecular isolation of human norovirus and astrovirus in tap water by RT- PCR

Viral gastroenteritis is responsible for pediatric morbidity and mortality, time loss and also an economic burden in developing countries. Norovirus is known to cause 90% of all epidemic non- bacterial outbreaks worldwide. Astroviruses are second only to rotavirus as cause of viral gastroenteritis worldwide. Nevertheless, in most diarrheal cases, neither norovirus nor astrovirus is routinely screened for in stool or environmental samples, thus, data on health impact of waterborne disease is lacking in developing countries like Ghana. Since the presence of these viruses in drinking water are potential health threats, the aim of this study was to collect water samples within the distribution network of the Weija…