Hepatitis E virus in waters proximal to swine Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in Eastern North Carolina

The number of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in the U.S. has increased dramatically in the last few decades. In North Carolina, the majority of the hog inventory is now raised in CAFOs. Rapid growth of the hog CAFO industry has raised concern about proper disposal of waste, which in North Carolina is typically collected and stored in open-pit lagoons before being sprayed onto agricultural fields. Components of this waste may be able to impact surface water quality with the potential for human health risks. This study examined microorganisms of public health concern in creeks adjacent to swine CAFO spray fields. Surface water samples were collected from public access waters in proximity to spray fields over one year and were tested for hepatitis E virus (HEV) and coliphages. HEV was detected in one sample while somatic and F+ coliphages, indicators of enteric viruses, were detected in 98% and 85% samples, respectively. The presence of HEV, as well as the ubiquity of coliphages, suggests that current waste management practices may be associated with the dissemination of potentially zoonotic viruses in waters proximal to CAFO spray fields.