Tag

Wastewater Surveillance

All articles tagged with #wastewater surveillance

health5 hours ago•5 min saved

Wastewater traces reveal West Coast surge of HMPV virus

A little-known respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), is surging on the West Coast, with wastewater surveillance showing elevated activity in Northern California and a January peak; there is no vaccine or specific treatment, and the virus can cause cough, fever and breathing difficulties, posing higher risks to young children, older adults and the immunocompromised, while data also show rising activity in the Midwest and Northeast per CDC surveillance.

via Fox News|

#cdc #health #hmpv

health2 days ago•7 min saved

Wastewater Signals Point to HMPV Spread in Northern California

Northern California communities are showing elevated wastewater signals for human metapneumovirus (HMPV), including Novato and Sunnyvale, though authorities say there’s no vaccine and most infections are mild; high-risk groups (immunocompromised, young children, older adults) can develop serious illness, and prevention centers on standard respiratory hygiene and ventilation. HMPV’s seasonal peak typically occurs in late winter to spring, a pattern altered by COVID but now reemerging.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california #health #human-metapneumovirus

health3 days ago•3 min saved

Bay Area Detects Rise in Human Metapneumovirus via Wastewater Signals

Wastewater data show high concentrations of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) across Northern California, signaling a regional uptick in a common respiratory virus that can cause cold- or flu-like illness and, in some people (especially young children, seniors, and the immunocompromised), more serious disease; there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment, so prevention centers on hygiene and staying home when sick, with symptoms typically lasting 2–5 days.

via Sacramento Bee|

#health #hmpv #human-metapneumovirus

health1 month ago•6 min saved

Six Viruses Detected at High Levels in Lawrence Wastewater Amid Flu Surge

Lawrence wastewater shows high levels of six viruses—COVID-19, influenza A and B, RSV, human metapneumovirus, and norovirus—over the past three weeks, signaling rising community circulation during peak flu season. Wastewater reflects virus presence rather than exact case counts, and the Stratus (XFG) COVID variant now accounts for about 82% of positive samples, with influenza B peaking earlier in the season.

via lawrencekstimes.com|

#covid-19 #health #influenza

health1 month ago•16 min saved

Wastewater signals measles early, helping public health act faster

Public health officials are using wastewater surveillance to detect measles outbreaks earlier than traditional reporting, enabling quicker responses and targeted vaccination to curb spread.

via AP News|

#epidemiology #health #measles

health1 month ago•12 min saved

Colorado Battles a 'Super Flu' as ER Visits Surge

Colorado is in the midst of a record-breaking flu season, with emergency departments seeing high visit volumes and hospitalizations as doctors warn of a highly contagious, severe flu that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in addition to respiratory symptoms. The CDC ranks Colorado among the states with the most flu activity; nationwide pediatric ED visits are high and several children have died. Two groups drive ER demand: healthy individuals with severe symptoms and patients with underlying conditions whose illnesses worsen. Wastewater surveillance shows very high flu levels in Colorado, guiding testing and resource use. Vaccination remains recommended to reduce severity, while most cases are managed at home unless symptoms are severe enough to require urgent care.

via The Conversation|

#colorado #emergency-medicine #flu

public-health1 month ago•9 min saved

Allegheny County Wastewater Tests Reveal Fentanyl, Xylazine, and More

Allegheny County is using wastewater testing to track the presence of drugs like fentanyl, xylazine, and others, providing public health officials with valuable data to respond to evolving drug trends and inform funding and treatment strategies. The testing, conducted by Biobot Analytics, offers an additional layer of insight alongside other data sources, helping to address the complex and changing drug supply in the region.

via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|

#allegheny-county #drug-monitoring #fentanyl

health1 year ago•1 min saved

"COVID Levels Surge in Wastewater Across Multiple States, CDC Reports"

The CDC reports that COVID-19 levels have surged to "very high" or "high" in more than half of the U.S. states, with California, Texas, and Florida among the hardest hit. Wastewater surveillance data, an early indicator of virus spread, shows a steady increase in cases nationwide over the past 45 days. Massachusetts and Vermont have "moderate" levels, while Rhode Island has "low" levels.

via The Boston Globe|

#cdc #covid-19 #health

health1 year ago•6 min saved

Wastewater Testing Reveals Widespread Bird Flu in Livestock

Wastewater surveillance suggests bird flu is more widespread among US dairy cows than previously reported, raising concerns about worker safety and the potential for human infection. Despite resistance from farmers, expanded monitoring is needed to better understand and control the virus's spread. The CDC is increasing funding and efforts to track the virus, particularly in rural areas and near livestock.

via Yahoo Finance|

#bird-flu #dairy-cows #h5n1-virus

health-covid-192 years ago•4 min saved

"Rising COVID-19 Infections: US Faces Second Wave Surge"

Experts estimate that about two million people are now being infected with Covid every day in the US, based on wastewater surveillance data from Biobot. The surge in infections is attributed to the JN.1 variant, which is more infectious and may be more deadly than previous strains. Despite the high infection levels, deaths from the virus are at historic lows for this time of year due to high levels of immunity in the population. In addition to Covid, flu and RSV are also at unseasonably high levels, raising concerns about a larger surge in respiratory diseases. Hospitals in at least 14 states have brought back face mask mandates to limit the spread of respiratory viruses, and experts advise maintaining preventive measures such as hand hygiene and staying updated on vaccines.

via Daily Mail|

#covid-19 #flu #health-covid-19

health-covid-192 years ago•6 min saved

Wastewater Surveillance Reveals Looming COVID-19 Surge

Wastewater surveillance data indicates a surge in COVID-19 cases, with the US experiencing a significant increase in viral activity levels. Experts warn of a potential new wave of infections, with concerns raised about the JN.1 variant and waning immunity. While vaccine programs have stabilized hospitalizations, the data suggests a second major surge in the pandemic, prompting calls for improved monitoring systems and policy adjustments to address the evolving situation.

via The Register|

#covid-19 #health-covid-19 #pandemic

health2 years ago•3 min saved

"Wastewater Surveillance Reveals Alarming Spike in New COVID Variant Cases Across the U.S."

Wastewater samples across the U.S. indicate high levels of respiratory viruses, including COVID, flu, and RSV, with the dominant COVID variant being JN.1, which is considered an omicron variant. While COVID infections are causing serious disease less often than in previous years, public health officials are urging people to stay informed about virus circulation in their area, get vaccinated, and seek medical care if necessary, especially for older adults at higher risk.

via KNAU Arizona Public Radio|

#cdc #covid-19 #health

health2 years ago•3 min saved

COVID's Potential Shift to the Gut: Scientists Debate Surging Virus Detections

Scientists are considering the possibility that COVID-19 may be targeting the gut, as surging cases of the virus have been detected in wastewater. Traditionally, COVID-19 infects people through the nose and mouth, but some virologists believe the virus has altered its requirements for entering cells, making it easier to infect the gut. The newly dominant JN.1 variant of COVID-19 is suspected to be more gut-focused, although there is no direct evidence yet. Wastewater surveillance has shown an increase in the virus, and the variant is both more infectious and more able to evade the immune system. However, there is no evidence that it causes more severe illness than other variants.

via Daily Mail|

#covid-19 #gut-infection #health

health2 years ago•3 min saved

COVID-19 Levels Surge Across Multiple States Ahead of Holiday Season

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 23 states in the U.S. have "very high" levels of COVID-19 based on wastewater surveillance. The CDC uses wastewater testing to detect traces of the virus in communities, providing an early warning of increasing or decreasing infection levels. The data collected by the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) helps healthcare providers prepare for potential upticks in hospitalizations and track the presence of different variants. Additionally, 12 states have "high" levels, four states have "moderate" levels, and four states have "low" levels of COVID-19. Several states and territories lack data due to a lack of sampling sites reporting to the NWSS.

via Best Life|

#cdc #covid-19 #health

health2 years ago•5 min saved

Revamping Wastewater Surveillance: Vermont's Innovative Approach to Covid-19 Tracking

Vermont is changing how it tracks Covid-19 in the state's wastewater by partnering with WastewaterSCAN, a research program run by scientists at Stanford University and Emory University. The program, in collaboration with Verily, a health technology company owned by Alphabet Inc., aims to provide clearer data on the spread of Covid-19 in Vermont by analyzing water samples from three wastewater systems. The state health department hopes that the new data and improved visualization will offer a more comprehensive view of Covid-19 transmission, especially during the winter and holiday seasons. Wastewater testing has proven to be a valuable tool in tracking diseases like Covid-19, providing earlier warning signs than other metrics such as hospitalizations.

via VTDigger|

#covid-19 #data #health