Tracking health threats, one sewage sample at a time
Researchers in Virginia Beach, Va., show how they test wastewater for signs of COVID-19, and how they're preparing to look for other health threats.
wastewater surveillance
COVID sewage surveillance labs join the hunt for monkeypox
Wastewater testing has proved a reliable early alarm bell for COVID-19 outbreaks. U.S. researchers are now adapting the approach to track the explosive spread of monkeypox, and maybe other viruses.
Colorado is moving toward statewide coverage of wastewater surveillance
With 60% of the state's population already covered by wastewater testing, Colorado is aiming to be a sentinel of coming contagion — not just of COVID surges, but of other types of diseases, too.
U.K. COVID cases are rising. Health officials are watching to see if the U.S. is next
The rise of the more infectious BA.2 variant in the U.S. — plus signals in the sewage — also point to a possible uptick in cases, and have health officials on alert.
Poop sleuths hunt for early signs of omicron in sewage
Scientists have identified the new coronavirus variant in wastewater in a few U.S. cities. This type of surveillance can help communities stay a step ahead of omicron's spread.