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A recent innovation, the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) has transformed from an emergency response to COVID-19 into a comprehensive early warning system for disease outbreaks.

The NWSS monitors approximately 45% of the US population through over 1,400 sampling sites. Public health laboratories can analyze genetic material from the waste stream to detect the presence of pathogens even before clinical symptoms appear in communities. 

Despite the inherent complexity of wastewater samples, the process has demonstrated surprising accuracy in predicting disease trends.

Visit cdc.gov/nwss to explore the NWSS dashboard.