All articles tagged with #wastewater
Bay Area wastewater data show SARS-CoV-2 levels rising into September, part of a national uptick. Experts say the current wave may persist for weeks, though hospitalizations remain well below the worst peaks. CDC data indicate infections are growing in most states, and updated vaccines are rolling out; officials still urge vaccination and precautions like masking in crowded indoor settings.
Humboldt County health officials are tracking a COVID-19 outbreak at the Seaview Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Eureka, with wastewater data showing rising infections countywide even as statewide hospitalizations stay very low. Case counts aren’t fully known since COVID is not a reportable illness, but wastewater signals indicate ongoing transmission over several weeks. A new 2026–27 vaccine is expected soon; the current 2025–26 formulation remains broadly protective, and pharmacists can administer vaccines to people ages 3 and up under AB 144. Officials still urge vaccination for high‑risk individuals, masking in crowded places, and maintaining good ventilation and hygiene during the uptick.
A wastewater sample from Bangor tested positive for measles, confirmed last week, with a follow-up sample testing negative days later; officials say they do not know where the infected person resided or traveled. The Maine CDC is urging healthcare providers to screen for measles and reminding the public that vaccination is the best protection. The agency had previously confirmed five measles cases in Penobscot County in February, with no new cases announced since.
COVID-19 cases are rising across the United States in a recurring summer wave, with 47 states showing growth and wastewater data indicating higher virus levels; experts say seasonality, indoor behavior, and waning immunity drive the pattern, while severe illness remains relatively low and vaccination, testing, ventilation, and precautions for vulnerable people are advised.
Boise-area wastewater data shows an upward trend in COVID-19 levels as students return to school, suggesting a possible surge. Health officials note that the fall-winter respiratory season can strain hospitals and emphasize staying up to date with vaccines, getting tested, and continuing preventive measures. Emergency visits for COVID-like symptoms have been low recently, but past seasons have seen spikes, underscoring the ongoing importance of vigilance.
California health officials say COVID-19 activity is rising again this summer, with a larger peak than last winter and increasing wastewater signals and hospitalizations. Experts attribute shifts to immunity and potential new subvariants; the state is urging eligible residents to get the 2025-26 vaccine now, though Kaiser may not offer that version and a 2026-27 vaccine is expected by late September. Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness, especially for older adults and the immunocompromised, while the disease has not vanished and long COVID remains a risk.
Anchorage wastewater testing detected measles RNA on July 7–14, indicating the virus was present in the community and prompting public health officials to urge vaccination and vigilance while more results are awaited; the test provides early warning but does not pinpoint transmission or locations.
Wastewater testing shows high COVID-19 concentrations in parts of the Bay Area over the past three weeks, prompting officials to urge precautions such as masking in crowded indoor settings, staying current on vaccines, testing, and staying home when sick; experts expect continued spread this summer with hospitalizations and deaths remaining rare, and officials are also stressing measles vaccination for children.
COVID-19 activity is rising in California and a broad swath of the West and South, signaling a seasonal summer uptick. While emergency visits and hospitalizations remain very low, health officials warn that cases could climb in coming weeks, especially among older adults, the immunocompromised, and young children. Authorities urge staying up to date with the latest 2025-26 vaccine, with boosters for high-risk groups, and note rising wastewater signals and county test-positivity rates as part of monitoring efforts.
Massachusetts plans to end its contract with Biobot for wastewater surveillance, signaling a shift toward building in-house public-health monitoring capabilities after the approach proved valuable during the COVID-19 era.
A ruptured 42-inch sewer main in Haverhill during heavy rain released about 8 million gallons of wastewater per day into the Merrimack River, prompting closures of North Shore beaches (Salisbury Beach, Sandy Point in Ipswich, and Plum Island in Newburyport). Repairs are underway, the sewer system remains operational, drinking water is safe, and investigators are looking into the cause.
Rotavirus, a highly contagious GI virus, is showing up again in Bay Area wastewater as FIFA World Cup crowds converge, with elevated readings in Redwood City, San Jose, and Vallejo after spring peaks. Health experts say mass gatherings and shared facilities can spread fecal-oral viruses, though outdoor venues may limit respiratory spread. About 260,000 travelers are expected for the World Cup, prompting public health advisories on handwashing and food hygiene. There is no cure; vaccination exists for children but has been removed from the routine schedule, which could influence susceptibility in adults as well.
California health officials say fragments of the measles virus were detected in wastewater, indicating community transmission even if reported case numbers are incomplete. The finding underscores the value of wastewater-based surveillance for outbreak monitoring and prompts continued public health vigilance, vaccination promotion, and monitoring to curb spread.
NASA is testing a mobile Divergent Deployable Wastewater Treatment Facility—built at Kennedy Space Center—to process crew wastewater into water and nutrients for a hydroponic garden as part of simulating long-duration lunar and Martian habitats. The 8.5-by-24-foot trailer carries three bioreactors and autonomous controls to treat separate waste streams (urine, hygiene, laundry, fecal, and food waste) and integrate with an analog habitat at the University of North Dakota, helping assess operations, training needs, system reliability, and potential links to in-space manufacturing and closed-loop life support.
Wastewater testing shows high rotavirus levels in the Boise area, signaling a contagious stomach flu that mainly endangers infants and young children. Common symptoms include severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, with dehydration being a major risk that can require hospitalization. There is no specific antiviral treatment; most cases are managed with rest and fluids, though more serious cases may need hospital care. Vaccination is the best prevention, supplemented by thorough handwashing and routine surface disinfection to slow spread. Seek medical care for dehydration, persistent vomiting, high fever, or severe abdominal pain, and be aware of rare complications like intussusception that require urgent attention.