Scientists and fishermen discover coronavirus in clams | the Chronicle

Experts from the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) verified the presence of Covid-19 genetic material in clams of the ecosystem of the Spanish coast, although it is a residual component and without risk of contagion. The study that revealed this discovery was carried out in collaboration with the Association of Fishermen of Miño in the community of Galicia.

This observation was revealed during the second National Congress of Covid-19 developed in Spain. The results obtained indicate “a non-infectious state of the virus and a high degree of degradation of its nucleic acid”, which does not present a risk of “Acquire SARS-CoV-2 by consuming shellfish”, USC said in a statement.

The university team spent several years studying viruses transmitted by the fecal-oral route. When the pandemic started, they discovered that “SARS-CoV-2 was detected in feces”, for which they deduced that genetic material was present in the sewage, USC said.

This waste finally reaches the Spanish coast. Researchers in this area acted immediately and began “In progress” help “control the spread” of the pandemic through the analysis of water to predict an epidemic in the population.

In May and July 2020, they analyzed 12 sediment samples and 12 clams, the results showed the presence of viral RNA by RT-qPCR in 9 mollusc specimens. Researchers will further study these studies to verify the persistence of the virus in aquatic systems.