The microbiological safety of food and the environment in which we live is currently an intensely discussed topic. Increasing production and the demand-driven global market exert pressure on ensuring sufficient high-quality food and safe drinking water. Compared to the past, increased attention in this area is now paid to important viral agents associated with food/water contaminations in both intensive research and routine diagnostics. This interest in viral agents has also increased in recent years due to the ongoing global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus. Food- and water-borne viruses usually cause only mild and short-term diseases. The most common is gastroenteritis manifested by fever, vomiting and watery diarrhoea. However, in addition to mild febrile illness, these agents can also cause more serious conditions – respiratory infections, hepatitis, conjunctivitis, aseptic meningitis, myocarditis, encephalitis and paralysis. Globally, these diseases have significant economic impacts and are still among the leading causes of death in developing countries.This manuscript provides an overview of food- and water-borne viruses and technologies developed and currently used for their identification as causative agents. Methods for the detection of these pathogens represent an important tool for the assessment and mitigation of potential risks associated with the contamination of food and water resources. There is currently a wide range of possible approaches. Their use is differently targeted and their sensitivity, effectiveness and specificity also vary. In the case of a specific application, it is therefore necessary to choose the appropriate method, optimize it, and then verify its applicability and limits. The chosen method should be sufficiently robust, sensitive, specific and, if possible, also time and labor saving.

Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi et al., 'The Water?Energy?Food Nexus as a Tool to Transform Rural Livelihoods and Well-Being in Southern Africa', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 16(16), p.2970, MDPI AG, 2019 | About 60% of southern Africa�??s population lives in rural areas with limited access to basic services and amenities such as clean and safe water, affordable and clean energy, and balanced and nutritious diets. Resource scarcity has direct and indirect impacts on nutrition, human health, and well-being of mostly poor rural communities. Climate change impacts in the region are manifesting through low crop yields, upsurge of vector borne diseases (malaria and dengue fever), and water and food-borne diseases (cholera and diarrhoea). This study applied a water�??energy�??food (WEF) nexus analytical livelihoods model with complex systems understanding to assess rural livelihoods, health, and well-being in southern Africa, recommending tailor-made adaptation strategies for the region aimed at building resilient rural communities. The WEF nexus is a decision support tool that improves rural livelihoods through integrated resource distribution, planning, and management, and ensures inclusive socio-economic transformation and development, and addresses related sustainable development goals, particularly goals 2, 3, 6 and 7. The integrated WEF nexus index for the region was calculated at 0.145, which is marginally sustainable, and indicating the region�??s exposure to vulnerabilities, and reveals a major reason why the region fails to meet its developmental targets. The integrated relationship among WEF resources in southern Africa shows an imbalance and uneven resource allocation, utilisation and distribution, which normally results from a �??siloed�?? approach in resource management. The WEF nexus provides better adaptation options, as it guides decision making processes by identifying priority areas needing intervention, enhancing synergies, and minimising trade-offs necessary for resilient rural communities. Our results identified (i) the trade-offs and unintended negative consequences for poor rural households�?? livelihoods of current silo approaches, (ii) mechanisms for sustainably enhancing household water, energy and food security, whilst (iii) providing direction for achieving SDGs 2, 3, 6 and 7