Water, sanitation and the COVID-19 in the Amazon

Abstract

ABSTRACT Several studies on the pathophysiological and epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 indicate the extracorporeal viability of the virus and the possibility of faecal-oral transmission through contaminated natural water and wastewater' suggesting a potential risk of spreading in socially vulnerable areas' such as the Brazilian Amazon' where access to sanitation and health services is lacking. [...]an attempt we made to outline an overview of sanitation in the Brazilian Amazon and its possible impacts on the most vulnerable populations and on the health system in a pandemic situation' based on bibliographic and documentary review and exploratory analysis of data related to basic sanitation and health. The absence or insufficiency of sanitation services, especially with regard to the promotion of drinking water supply and the collection and adequate treatment of sanitary sewers, directly affects the health of the population, increasing the spread of viral, bacterial and parasitic...