Wastewater Testing: A Valuable Tool in Tracking Measles Infections
Researchers have found that wastewater testing can alert public health officials to measles infections days to months before cases are confirmed by doctors. This discovery, published in two studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), highlights the importance of wastewater surveillance in tracking diseases, including COVID-19, polio, mpox, and bird flu.
According to the studies, Colorado health officials were able to get ahead of the highly contagious virus by tracking its presence in sewer systems. Similarly, Oregon researchers found that wastewater testing could have warned them of an outbreak more than two months before the first person tested positive. These findings demonstrate the potential of wastewater testing in preventing and controlling disease outbreaks.
Benefits of Wastewater Surveillance
The national wastewater surveillance system, run by the CDC since 2020, covers over 1,300 wastewater treatment sites serving 147 million people. The system includes six “centers for excellence” that innovate and support other states in expanding their testing. However, the proposed funding cut by the Trump administration, from $125 million to $25 million, may jeopardize the program’s effectiveness. Peggy Honein, director of the CDC’s division of infectious disease readiness and innovation, noted that the reduced funding would require prioritization of activities, potentially limiting the program’s scope.
State health departments are preparing for a potential loss of federal support, with most state programs being entirely federally funded. Colorado, for example, started its wastewater surveillance program in 2020 with 68 utilities participating voluntarily. The program has since expanded to include more diseases, but its funding is set to expire in 2029. Allison Wheeler, manager of Colorado’s wastewater surveillance unit, emphasized the importance of federal funding in sustaining the program.
Measles Outbreaks: A Case Study
In one of the studies, Colorado officials began testing wastewater for measles in May 2022, as outbreaks in Texas, New Mexico, and Utah were growing. The testing detected measles in wastewater about a week before two cases were confirmed by a doctor. Similarly, in Oregon, researchers used preserved sewage samples to determine if sewage testing could have discovered a burgeoning outbreak. The study found that wastewater samples from the area were positive for measles about 10 weeks before the first cases were reported.
Dr. Melissa Sutton, of the Oregon Health Authority, noted that wastewater testing provided valuable insights into the extent of silent transmission during the outbreak. Other states, such as Utah, have integrated wastewater data into their public-facing measles dashboards, allowing anyone to track outbreaks in real-time. New Mexico also used wastewater testing to identify cases in a rural area, enabling health officials to alert doctors and the public, and refocus their resources.
Sutton emphasized the importance of wastewater surveillance in communicable disease surveillance, calling it “one of the greatest advancements in a generation.” As the federal government considers funding for the program, it is essential to recognize the value of wastewater testing in preventing and controlling disease outbreaks. For more information, read the full article Here
Image Source: www.twincities.com
