Wastewater surveillance can detect the spread of H5 influenza before official confirmation in birds, cows, and humans. Monitoring wastewater may help public health officials respond to outbreaks more quickly. A study presented at IDWeek revealed that detecting H5 viruses in wastewater could have provided early warning of highly pathogenic avian influenza before cases were confirmed in animals and humans. This method demonstrated a high specificity and sensitivity in differentiating H5 viruses from other influenza A viruses. Wastewater monitoring remains a fast and unbiased way to understand the prevalence of viruses in the population and implement interventions effectively.
Source link
Detection of H5 in wastewater may have offered early bird flu warning
