Human enteroviruses in marine sediments near a sewage outfall on the Otago Coast

Sediment and beach sand samples from around a sewer outfall were collected and tested for the presence of enteroviruses and faecal coliforms. Enteroviruses were recovered from 5 of 14 samples collected on three different occasions. Enteroviruses were recovered from two samples in which faecal coliform levels were low. These results suggest that the faecal coliform test may not be a reliable indicator of viral pollution. Virus types recovered were Poliovirus 2, Coxsackievirus B4 and B5, and a number of isolates unable to be identified using the Lim Benyesh‐Melnick pooled antisera.