All articles tagged with #wastewater testing
COVID-19 activity is rising in parts of the United States, with wastewater data showing upticks mainly in the South and West, though overall levels remain low; experts cite seasonal patterns, lower vaccination rates, and summer travel, and urge vaccination with the upcoming 2026-2027 shot, testing if ill, masking when around the sick, and early Paxlovid for high-risk individuals.
COVID-19 cases are rising in parts of the U.S. this summer, though overall levels remain low, with wastewater data and CDC monitoring showing moderate activity in Missouri and Alaska and low activity elsewhere. Tracking is harder due to reduced testing. Experts attribute the uptick to waning vaccination and summer travel and urge precautions (masking when ill, hand hygiene, staying home while sick) and getting updated vaccines when available; Paxlovid can help high‑risk individuals. Measles cases are also rising, underscoring the importance of immunization.
The CDC says the BA.3.2 COVID variant, descended from Omicron, has been detected in 25 U.S. states (via nasal swabs and wastewater) and was first identified in travelers, but it is not the dominant strain and does not appear to cause a different illness; current vaccines target other Omicron subvariants, so protection may be incomplete.
The Washington State Department of Health and the University of Washington detected the clade I mpox (monkeypox) virus in Pierce County wastewater, prompting increased testing and vigilance, though no local cases have been reported. The virus spreads through close contact, and public health officials emphasize monitoring symptoms and vaccination for high-risk groups, with the risk considered low at present.
Utah reports 31 confirmed measles cases, but wastewater testing suggests the virus may be more widespread across the state, indicating potential underreporting of cases. Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination to prevent further spread.
Alabama is experiencing a high level of COVID-19 in wastewater, indicating increased infection risk, with the state's emergency room visits for COVID-19 symptoms exceeding the national average, amidst a summer surge affecting multiple states.
H5 avian influenza has been detected for the first time on Hawai‘i Island, specifically in influent at the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant. While the risk to public health is considered low, the detection has prompted increased testing frequency to monitor the situation. The virus, which poses a significant threat to bird populations, was first found in Hawai‘i in November on O‘ahu. Authorities are urging poultry producers and residents with backyard flocks to enhance biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
Hawaii health officials have detected the H5 avian influenza virus in wastewater samples on Oahu, marking the first detection of bird flu in the state. While the risk to residents remains low, officials emphasize the importance of preventive measures, especially for those at higher risk of exposure. The detection requires further investigation to confirm if it is the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. Residents are advised to avoid contact with sick or dead animals and to report any unusual animal illnesses.
COVID-19 levels are rising this summer, with the CDC reporting increased activity in most states based on wastewater data. The highly contagious JN.1 strain is prevalent, but newer variants like KP.3 are emerging. Wastewater testing helps track and manage outbreaks, with the West and South showing the largest increases. The CDC recommends updated vaccinations for everyone aged 6 months and older.
Recent wastewater testing in the US indicates that the H5N1 bird flu is not as widespread as initially feared, with detections primarily in Texas and Michigan. The WastewaterSCAN network found the H5 protein in sewage from 14 treatment plants across five states, suggesting the outbreak may be confined to already identified areas. The CDC is monitoring for human infections and encourages vigilance among healthcare providers.
WastewaterSCAN, a network led by Stanford and Emory Universities, is scaling up national wastewater testing for the H5N1 bird flu virus, which has been affecting dairy cows in nine U.S. states. This initiative aims to provide crucial data to public health officials amid reluctance from the dairy industry to test cows and farm workers. The effort will soon share its findings publicly, offering a new method to monitor potential outbreaks and understand the virus's spread.
A study found that wastewater near homeless encampments contained SARS-CoV-2 genetic material, with 26% of samples testing positive and showing peak concentrations during the Omicron surge in Las Vegas. The water samples revealed viral mutations and transmission patterns, including 10 mutations specific to the Alpha variant and three novel spike protein mutations. The study highlights the importance of monitoring wastewater near homeless populations for understanding viral spread and mutations, but more data is needed to determine the impact on clinical outcomes for COVID-19 patients in these communities.
Alaska health officials are expanding efforts to use wastewater testing as a tool to track the spread of viruses, including COVID-19, tuberculosis, RSV, flu, monkeypox, and noroviruses. Wastewater testing serves as an early warning system, detecting virus levels before symptoms appear, and has become crucial as fewer people are getting tested for COVID-19. The state is working to expand testing to rural areas and track other diseases, hiring a wastewater informaticist and planning to publish weekly data online. The University of Alaska Anchorage lab is also expanding its efforts to detect other viruses and hopes to use the data to inform public health decisions and resource allocation.
Wastewater testing indicates a surge in COVID-19 infections, with as many as one-third of Americans expected to contract the disease by late February. Despite this, pandemic fatigue has led to a lack of precautions, particularly among older and sicker individuals who are at higher risk. Deaths and hospitalizations have decreased, but experts warn of the risk of long COVID and urge continued vigilance. Wastewater surveillance is suggested to track future waves, but public interest in mitigation efforts has waned. Some states are experiencing high COVID-19 death rates, particularly among older populations. The importance of precautions and awareness of the ongoing risk of COVID-19, especially for vulnerable individuals, is emphasized.
Wastewater testing has proven effective in detecting mpox infections, with a 32% likelihood of detecting the virus in populations ranging from thousands to millions. The approach has also shown promise in tracking other diseases, such as polio and flu, and is being expanded to monitor germs resistant to antibiotics and food poisoning bugs. The CDC's wastewater surveillance work has outperformed expectations and is expected to play a significant role in understanding disease in communities.