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Wastewater Surveillance

All articles tagged with #wastewater surveillance

health2 days ago

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-health7 days ago

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

"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

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

"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

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

"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

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

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

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
health2 years ago

Advancements in COVID Vaccines: Strong Immune Response, Efficacy Against Long COVID, Cost-Effectiveness, and Promising Intranasal Option

A phase I study presented at the IDWeek meeting showed that an intranasal COVID-19 vaccine candidate, CoviLiv, produced a strong immune response in healthy adults, with participants exhibiting increased levels of spike-specific antibodies and interferon-gamma response. The vaccine does not require cold chain storage and could potentially increase access to vaccinations in underserved areas. Additionally, researchers discussed the use of wastewater surveillance as a tool to predict outbreaks of respiratory viruses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Lastly, a maternal RSV vaccine was highlighted as a potential strategy to reduce hospitalizations and costs associated with RSV infection in infants.

via Medpage Today|
#covid-19#health#intranasal-vaccine
health2 years ago

COVID-19 Cases Surge in Montana, Particularly in Missoula

Montana public health officials are reporting a significant increase in COVID-19 cases, with the state having the highest rate of related hospitalizations in the country. Wastewater surveillance in the city of Missoula has shown a rise in COVID-19, indicating the need for increased awareness and precautions. Health officials are urging individuals with symptoms to stay home and get tested, and those who test positive should isolate for five days and notify close contacts. The Gallatin City-County Health Department has also reported an uptick in local COVID-19 and flu cases. Montana currently has the highest COVID-19 hospital admission rate in the nation, and health officials are encouraging vaccinations for COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

via MTPR|
#covid-19#health#hospitalizations
health2 years ago

Montana Tops COVID Charts as National Hotspot

Health officials in Missoula, Montana have detected an increase in COVID-19 levels in wastewater samples, indicating a rise in infections. Montana currently has the highest hospital admission rate per capita for COVID-19 in the United States. Wastewater surveillance provides data on the number of infected individuals, including asymptomatic cases. Officials urge people to take precautions, report positive at-home tests, and get tested if experiencing symptoms.

via Missoulian|
#covid-19#health#hospital-admissions
health2 years ago

"Utah Reports First Case of Pirola COVID Variant"

A new COVID-19 variant, known as Pirola (BA.2.86), has been detected in wastewater samples collected in Utah. The variant, which has over 30 mutations, has also been found in other states and countries. While initial concerns were raised about its potential to cause infections in vaccinated or previously infected individuals, recent data suggests that existing antibodies are effective against Pirola. The variant is not currently driving the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations nationwide. A new booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, targeting Pirola and other variants, has been approved. Although Pirola's mutations are still alarming, it does not appear to be as severe or as much of a threat as the omicron variant.

via Deseret News|
#covid-19#health#pirola-variant
health2 years ago

COVID-19 Cases Surge Across Multiple States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a 21.6% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States, coinciding with the emergence of a new strain called Eris (EG. 5). Austin Public Health (APH) has seen a 33% increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the past week, although this may be an underrepresentation due to self-testing or lack of testing. APH relies on wastewater surveillance to accurately track community spread. Despite the end of emergency declarations, Texas still requires reporting of positive cases. APH advises remaining vigilant with vaccinations and boosters, as well as getting flu shots. The FDA is expected to approve an updated COVID-19 vaccine booster next month. Symptoms of the Eris strain are similar to other variants, often mistaken for allergies.

via KXAN.com|
#austin-public-health#covid-19#health