Wastewater Surveillance Research Released
Paper adds context and protocols to interpreting of weekly CDC Influenza A data
Thanks again to Michael Coston from Avian Flu Diary for communicating a new research release from a group of experts in wastewater surveillance capabilities:
Here is the link to the actual paper:
I’d personally re-emphasize that these samples must first shown to be positive for H5, then the sewer catchment be analyzed before drawing too many conclusions.
An interesting finding in this paper relates to potential for early detection: “In Amarillo, TX, retrospective testing shows that H5 was detectable in wastewater on 2/25/24 - nearly a week before an unspecified disease was reported in dairy cattle in Texas (3/7/24) and a month before the causative agent was identified as H5N1 (3/25/24). Similarly, H5 was detected in Forsyth County, NC wastewater 4/5/24, 4 days before the state identified H5N1 infected cattle.”
If a robust system can be developed and monitored, both human and animal epidemiologists have an opportunity to be on site as outbreaks unfold, rather than waiting for persistent clinical signs to signal an outbreak. That’s the potential for passive pooled molecular diagnostics!