Objective; This study was conducted to ensure the safety of drinking water for soldiers by surveying on contamination levels of Norovirus in unerground/surface water for Military use in Gangwon Province and to acquire Norovirus analysis technology in water.
Method; Among the water sources used by the front unit of the 0 Corps, a total of 67 water supply sources that are found to be vulnerable to microbial contamination, such as those that do not have automatic residual chlorine injection devices installed or where pathogenic microorganisms were detected as a result of regular water quality tests were selected. Samples were collected by filtering and adsorbing more than 500 liters of water with a standard filter apparatus and the pH, temperature, turbidity, and residual chlorine levels of water samples were measured to investigate the characteristics of water quality at the site, but the microbiological examinations for total coliforms and E.coli were conducted in the laboratory independently. We pre-treated the samples and conducted gene analysis(RT-PCR and reverse transcription-PCR process) followed by electrophoresis. After checking the bands that matched the positive control, the positive sample was sent to the specialized institute for sequencing.
Results; In this study, Norovirus type GI.10 was detected in one of 67 water sources. The detection rate of Norovirus among the total was 1.5%, of which the detection rate for underground water was 1.7%.
Conclusion; In order to ensure the safety of underground/surface water to drink for Military use, it is necessary to steadily conduct monitoring examinations on Norovirus contamination as well as legal inspections. Norovirus analysis technology of water obtained through this study will also help prevent water-borne disease more preemptively and timely.