Forecasting Future Diseases With Every Flush

At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, epidemiologists looked to our sewers to help figure out the scale of the virus’ spread. It worked, giving some public health officials a heads-up before Covid surges. Now, researchers are taking the lessons from that pandemic, and working to put the wastewater from bathing, toilets, laundry machines and dishwashers to use in monitoring the spread of other diseases. WSJ’s Danny Lewis speaks with environmental microbiologist, engineer and epidemiologist Marlene Wolfe about why it’s so important to look at wastewater if we want to stop the next pandemic. 

Further reading: 

For Future Viral Threats, Health Officials Look to Sewage - WSJ 

From the Sewers, Clues to Covid-19’s Next Moves - WSJ 

CDC Will Test Sewage for Polio in Some U.S. Communities - WSJ 

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