CDC Enhances Airport Disease Surveillance to Include Flu and RSV

The CDC is expanding its infectious disease surveillance program at four major US airports to include more than 30 pathogens, such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The program, which began during the Covid-19 pandemic, collects nasal swab and wastewater samples from arriving international travelers to detect new variants and other pathogens. The surveillance program has tested over 370,000 travelers and collected samples from over 135 countries. By monitoring respiratory viruses, including flu, the CDC aims to detect and track emerging infections. The program has detected Covid-19 variants up to six weeks before they were officially reported nationwide.