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Wastewater Surveillance

All articles tagged with #wastewater surveillance

health7 hours ago•4 min saved

Wastewater Signals Point to Nationwide Norovirus Surge

Wastewater data show norovirus activity remains high across much of the U.S., with rising levels in the Northeast. In the period Aug. 1 to May 7, the CDC’s NoroSTAT program logged 1,194 outbreaks, roughly in line with past seasons, while multiple strains including GII.4 and GII.17 are circulating. The newer variant can spread more easily due to partial immunity gaps, but there is no specific antiviral treatment. Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads via contaminated food, surfaces, and close contact; prevention centers on handwashing, surface disinfection with EPA-registered products, and avoiding high-risk foods like raw shellfish. Most healthy adults recover in a few days but can remain contagious for up to two weeks.

via NBC News|

#cdc #health #norovirus

health8 days ago•4 min saved

Wastewater detects all major cancer-causing viruses, signaling new public health monitoring

A Baylor College of Medicine-led study analysed wastewater from more than 40 sites across 16 Texas cities (May 2022–May 2025) using hybrid-capture sequencing to detect all major oncogenic viruses, including HPV, hepatitis B and C, EBV and Kaposi’s sarcoma–related herpesvirus; the study found increases in HPV, EBV and some polyomaviruses after 2024 and detected all nine HPV types targeted by Gardasil 9 in wastewater, suggesting environmental monitoring could track cancer risk and measure vaccination impact for prevention and health surveillance.

via Euronews.com|

#cancer-prevention #health #hpv

health29 days ago•22 min saved

NJ Rotavirus Surge Tied to Wastewater Signals

Wastewater data indicate a rise in rotavirus in parts of New Jersey (notably Monmouth and Somerset counties) and the broader Northeast, signaling increased community transmission. Health experts urge vaccination and proper handwashing to protect children from vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, noting that the New Jersey Department of Health does not track individual cases. The virus typically peaks in late winter to spring, with expectations that activity may decline through May–July as the season progresses.

via WHYY|

#health #immunization #new-jersey

health1 month ago•35 min saved

San Francisco Faces a Viral Crunch: Rotavirus and Others Surge, with Unclear Causes

San Francisco is seeing a surge of multiple viruses—rotavirus, norovirus, HMPV, influenza A/B, and RSV—driving illness in the Bay Area even as COVID-19 remains low, according to WastewaterSCAN data. Rotavirus is notably higher in 2026, a trend experts say could reflect better wastewater tracking or lower vaccine uptake; the CDC no longer routinely recommends rotavirus vaccination, leaving decisions to clinicians and families. Health officials advise basics like hand-washing and staying up to date on vaccines, while researchers note that waning immunity and a new flu strain may be prolonging winter viruses into spring.

via Yahoo|

#health #norovirus #rotavirus

health1 month ago•9 min saved

California Braces for Potential Summer COVID Rise as Cicada Subvariant Emerges

A highly mutated COVID-19 subvariant, BA.3.2 nicknamed Cicada, is circulating in California and could cause a modest summer uptick; it appears to evade immunity from prior vaccination or infection, prompting renewed emphasis on vaccinating seniors, though wastewater data remain low and no surge is yet clear.

via Los Angeles Times|

#ba32 #cicada-subvariant #covid-19

health2 months ago•11 min saved

BA.3.2 Cicada spreads across the US, testing current vaccines

The BA.3.2 variant (Cicada), an Omicron descendant with many spike mutations, is spreading rapidly in the United States and in about 23 countries. It is not yet shown to be more dangerous, but its differences may reduce how well current vaccines recognize it, underscoring the continued importance of vaccination, especially for people with chronic health conditions. The variant was first detected globally in 2024, reached the US in 2025, and has been found in 29 states and through wastewater data. Practical guidance remains: practice good hygiene, stay home when sick, spend time outdoors, and consult a clinician about personal risk. Wastewater surveillance continues as a valuable early warning tool.

via The Conversation|

#ba32 #cicada #covid-19

health2 months ago•4 min saved

Wastewater signals BA.3.2 COVID-19 variant in 25 states, CDC reports

A new SARS-CoV-2 lineage, BA.3.2, is being tracked in the United States through wastewater and clinical samples, with detections across 25 states including travelers and patients. The variant carries 70–75 spike-protein mutations and has shown immune escape characteristics, potentially increasing infections though not necessarily causing more severe disease. The CDC notes ongoing genomic surveillance is essential as BA.3.2 has two sublineages (BA.3.2.1 and BA.3.2.2) and continues to evolve.

via Fox News|

#ba32 #cdc #covid-19

health2 months ago•27 min saved

Hidden respiratory virus HMPV surges as flu wanes

A little-known respiratory virus called human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is rising nationwide as flu season winds down, with wastewater data showing high community activity. Most infections are mild and last 2–5 days, but HMPV can progress to pneumonia, bronchitis, or trigger asthma flares, particularly in young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. There is no vaccine and no specific treatment. Diagnosis is usually clinical, sometimes confirmed by nasal/throat swabs, and transmission occurs via droplets and contaminated surfaces. Prevention centers on staying home when sick, hand-washing, and keeping surfaces clean. Most people will be infected with at least one HMPV strain in their lifetime.

via New York Post|

#flu-season #health #hmpv

health2 months ago•264 min saved

California Faces Uptick in HMPV, a Cold-Like Virus With No Vaccine

Public health officials report rising human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections in parts of California, with wastewater data showing higher concentrations in Merced, Novato and Sunnyvale; there is no vaccine or specific antiviral for HMPV, and most infections are mild but can be severe for immunocompromised individuals, young children, and older adults. The virus typically peaks in late winter to spring and was disrupted by COVID-19, though seasonality is returning. Prevention focuses on handwashing, cleaning touched surfaces, improving ventilation, and avoiding sick people; consult a clinician if symptoms worsen. LA County levels are currently low to moderate, signaling a cautious but not alarmed public health situation.

via AOL.com|

#california #health #hmpv

health2 months ago•5 min saved

Wastewater traces reveal West Coast surge of HMPV virus

A little-known respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), is surging on the West Coast, with wastewater surveillance showing elevated activity in Northern California and a January peak; there is no vaccine or specific treatment, and the virus can cause cough, fever and breathing difficulties, posing higher risks to young children, older adults and the immunocompromised, while data also show rising activity in the Midwest and Northeast per CDC surveillance.

via Fox News|

#cdc #health #hmpv

health2 months ago•7 min saved

Wastewater Signals Point to HMPV Spread in Northern California

Northern California communities are showing elevated wastewater signals for human metapneumovirus (HMPV), including Novato and Sunnyvale, though authorities say there’s no vaccine and most infections are mild; high-risk groups (immunocompromised, young children, older adults) can develop serious illness, and prevention centers on standard respiratory hygiene and ventilation. HMPV’s seasonal peak typically occurs in late winter to spring, a pattern altered by COVID but now reemerging.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california #health #human-metapneumovirus

health2 months ago•3 min saved

Bay Area Detects Rise in Human Metapneumovirus via Wastewater Signals

Wastewater data show high concentrations of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) across Northern California, signaling a regional uptick in a common respiratory virus that can cause cold- or flu-like illness and, in some people (especially young children, seniors, and the immunocompromised), more serious disease; there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment, so prevention centers on hygiene and staying home when sick, with symptoms typically lasting 2–5 days.

via Sacramento Bee|

#health #hmpv #human-metapneumovirus

health4 months ago•6 min saved

Six Viruses Detected at High Levels in Lawrence Wastewater Amid Flu Surge

Lawrence wastewater shows high levels of six viruses—COVID-19, influenza A and B, RSV, human metapneumovirus, and norovirus—over the past three weeks, signaling rising community circulation during peak flu season. Wastewater reflects virus presence rather than exact case counts, and the Stratus (XFG) COVID variant now accounts for about 82% of positive samples, with influenza B peaking earlier in the season.

via lawrencekstimes.com|

#covid-19 #health #influenza

health4 months ago•16 min saved

Wastewater signals measles early, helping public health act faster

Public health officials are using wastewater surveillance to detect measles outbreaks earlier than traditional reporting, enabling quicker responses and targeted vaccination to curb spread.

via AP News|

#epidemiology #health #measles

health4 months ago•12 min saved

Colorado Battles a 'Super Flu' as ER Visits Surge

Colorado is in the midst of a record-breaking flu season, with emergency departments seeing high visit volumes and hospitalizations as doctors warn of a highly contagious, severe flu that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in addition to respiratory symptoms. The CDC ranks Colorado among the states with the most flu activity; nationwide pediatric ED visits are high and several children have died. Two groups drive ER demand: healthy individuals with severe symptoms and patients with underlying conditions whose illnesses worsen. Wastewater surveillance shows very high flu levels in Colorado, guiding testing and resource use. Vaccination remains recommended to reduce severity, while most cases are managed at home unless symptoms are severe enough to require urgent care.

via The Conversation|

#colorado #emergency-medicine #flu