, Columnist
Where Will We Find the Next Covid Outbreak? Check the Sewers
Sewage surveillance isn’t new, but it has a critical role to play in fighting health crises — if only policy makers would make better use of it.
In sewage, veritas.
Photographer: Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images EuropeThis article is for subscribers only.
Israeli scientists monitoring samplings of sewage water in 2013 made a startling discovery: an outbreak of paralyzing polio was imminent. A national vaccination campaign was quickly mobilized and no cases appeared. That same year, Swedish scientists provided public officials with an early warning for outbreaks of hepatitis A and norovirus using the same methods.
If we are to regain, and retain, normal living, we’ll need the same kind of early warning system for future variants and pandemics. Fortunately, we’re getting closer to having that.