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Wastewater Surveillance

All articles tagged with #wastewater surveillance

health25 days ago•0 min saved

US COVID-19 cases surge in late summer, with wastewater data showing sharp national rise

COVID-19 activity is rising across the United States as the fall respiratory season begins. While the CDC reports low national wastewater activity, other data shows a sharp 55% increase in viral levels since August, with the highest concentrations in the West and South. Experts note that hospitalizations remain low compared to previous waves, but recommend vaccination for high-risk groups and testing for those with symptoms.

via USA Today|

#covid-19 #health #public-health

health1 month ago•26 min saved

Measles detected in Bangor wastewater, prompting vaccination alerts

A wastewater sample from Bangor tested positive for measles, confirmed last week, while a subsequent sample tested negative. Maine CDC officials urge vaccination and clinical screening, noting five prior cases in Penobscot County in February.

via WGME|

#bangor #health #maine-cdc

health2 months ago•205 min saved

Covid makes a summer comeback as respiratory season lags

Even though autumn respiratory illness season hasn’t begun and flu/RSV remain relatively low, a summer wave of Covid-19 is emerging in the US with test positivity above 3% for the week ending Aug. 8. Hospitalizations and deaths remain small, but tracking Covid now relies more on wastewater signals, ER visits, and lab data rather than daily case counts. Experts advise staying informed via local trend tools (like PopHIVE), considering an updated vaccine this fall, practicing good hygiene, and having antivirals (e.g., Paxlovid or the new Xocova) on hand if exposed or ill.

via CNN|

#antivirals #covid-19 #epidemiology

health3 months ago•12 min saved

Mobile resistance gene drives US rise of deadly hospital infections

A CDC report finds NDM-carrying CRE infections surged 461% in the U.S. from 2019–2023; the NDM gene is mobile on plasmids and can jump between bacteria, fueling hospital outbreaks across multiple species and complicating treatment. Wastewater data show community spread with regional patterns and links to socioeconomic factors; while aztreonam-avibactam offers a new option, there is no endgame, underscoring the need for better testing, surveillance, and stewardship.

via CIDRAP|

#antibiotic-resistance #carbapenem-resistant-enterobacterales #health

viruses-infections-and-disease4 months ago•92 min saved

Measles on the brink: US elimination status at risk as experts outline next steps

Two authors of a Live Science progress report say the U.S. measles outbreak is threatening to erase decades of elimination, with an upcoming November review likely to determine if elimination status is revoked. They cite seven indicators used to judge elimination, rising outbreaks since 2025, and the likelihood of undercounted cases. They highlight wastewater surveillance as a key tool, and note that vaccination efforts will mainly occur at the state and local levels amid political skepticism toward vaccines. The situation is not unique to the U.S.; other high-income countries have faced similar resurgences.

via Live Science|

#elimination-status #measles #public-health-policy

health4 months ago•7 min saved

World Cup Triggers Global Health Watch for Measles and Other Infections

As millions gather for the World Cup, health officials monitor for infectious disease threats—from measles to dengue—using wastewater testing, hospital data, and a national surveillance dashboard run by a Health Security Operations Center; emphasis is on vaccination, early warning, and coordination among local and federal agencies to detect trouble without causing alarm.

via ScienceAlert|

#disease-surveillance #health #measles

health4 months ago•13 min saved

World Cup Health Prep: Ebola Drills and Wastewater Surveillance Lead the Way

As World Cup 2026 approaches, public-health officials deploy a Covid-era toolkit to monitor Ebola and other infectious threats across host cities, led by the CDC with syndromic dashboards and city-level wastewater surveillance, while NYC and LA run high-risk-scenario drills and food-safety measures. But a lack of pandemic-era funding complicates sustained readiness, forcing agencies to stretch resources even as FEMA’s World Cup fund disburses only a fraction of the pledged support.

via Politico|

#ebola #health #outbreak-preparedness

health4 months ago•10 min saved

Health Officials Gear Up for Infectious-Disease Watch at World Cup 2026

As the World Cup 2026 spans 16 cities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, public health officials are preparing for a range of infectious-disease threats. Ebola risk is considered low, but highly contagious measles and other respiratory infections, along with arboviruses and heat- or food-related illnesses, pose bigger challenges given international travel. Authorities are expanding surveillance, entry screening, wastewater monitoring, and mobile testing capabilities, while noting funding cuts and staffing gaps in public health. The CDC and local health departments are coordinating to monitor travelers, identify cases quickly, and deploy resources if needed, aiming to keep fans safe without dampening the event.

via CNBC|

#ebola #health #measles

health4 months 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

health5 months 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

health5 months 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

health6 months 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

health6 months 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

health6 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

health6 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