Detection of measles virus genotype D8 in wastewater of Brussels capital region, Belgium, March 2024

Following the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) threat assessment brief regarding increased measles case numbers and outbreaks in Europe, we investigated sewage samples from different wastewater treatment plants in Belgium for the presence of measles virus (MV). Samples taken from Brussels North were found to contain MV, which could be characterized as genotype D8. Twelve measles cases were reported in the Brussels capital region in February/March 2024, but additional infections are likely occurring under the radar. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This study did not receive any funding ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors