Posted April 1, 2022 at 5:19 pm A Hamilton researcher uses a much less invasive method to detect an outbreak of COVID-19 and other viruses – sewage surveillance. As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and reliance on individual testing and contracting is reduced, community cases are likely to become increasingly difficult to detect and detect. A Hamilton researcher uses a much less invasive method – wastewater monitoring. David Bulir leads a team monitoring wastewater in 13 different communities. A McMaster University professor and collaborating researcher at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton says samples from the community and sewage treatment plants can provide early warning signs, indicating when virus levels are rising or falling. “There are still variations that continue to emerge and we need to make sure we stay on top of the situation,” Bulir told McMaster’s Brighter World. Raw wastewater samples produced by municipalities including Sts. Thomas, Stratford, Goderich, Brantford and Coburg are taken three times a week, every hour, for a period of 24 hours. The data is then uploaded to a central portal and used to view trends and update discussions and public health decisions. Sarah Marttala, left, and Doris Williams load samples for the McMaster wastewater monitoring study at a lab at the Research Institute in St. Louis. Joseph’s – Hamilton. (Photo by Research Institute at St. Joseph’s – Hamilton) “This is a very new tool and while we continue to optimize trials to maximize their usefulness, it is clear that it can provide information on the prevalence of the disease in different populations that can provide cost-effective information for public health decisions,” he said. the chemical engineer McMaster. Fran Lasowski, who is a member of Bulir’s team. According to the researchers, sewage tests are extremely sensitive and are not based on the fact that people realize that they are sick and only then do tests. They say it could be an early warning sign of an epidemic in the community. “Sewage testing is already a viable approach to monitoring the prevalence of the general population as well as protecting vulnerable populations,” said John Preston, Associate Dean for Research, Innovation and External Relations at the School of Engineering. “It is fascinating to imagine how much improvement is possible from sample collection to data analysis.” Samples are also taken from three sites on McMaster’s Hamilton campus. This form of testing and analysis goes beyond COVID-19, the researchers say. It could be used to detect other pathogens such as the flu and hepatitis. “If we could test for the flu all year round, for example, we could identify strains coming to Canada, when they arrive, and whether or not they will be soon enough to influence vaccine selection so we can match strains. “circulating more efficiently,” Bulir said. He also said the cases could be detected in group settings, such as homeless shelters. “This is a completely new field,” Bulir added. “But there can be significant advantages in switching from a sewer system, which gives you a snapshot of the whole city, to more community facilities, where we could test and become more susceptible to many pathogens.” Insauga Advertising Standards and Writing Policies
