How can wastewater testing detect measles outbreaks early?

Wastewater testing identifies the measles virus in sewage systems, providing an early warning days to months before clinical cases are confirmed by doctors.

What is the CDC's national wastewater surveillance system?

The CDC's system uses wastewater testing to track diseases like measles, COVID-19, and polio across the US, covering over 1,300 treatment sites.

Why are there concerns about funding for wastewater surveillance?

A proposed budget cut from $125 million to $25 million threatens the CDC's national wastewater surveillance system, potentially limiting its critical disease-tracking activities.

Home / Health / Wastewater Detects Measles Weeks Early, Funding Cut Looms

Wastewater Detects Measles Weeks Early, Funding Cut Looms

16 Jan

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Summary

Wastewater testing can detect measles days to months before clinical confirmation.
A proposed budget cut threatens to slash CDC's wastewater surveillance funding.
Oregon study found sewage testing could have flagged outbreak two months prior.

Wastewater Detects Measles Weeks Early, Funding Cut Looms

Wastewater surveillance offers a vital, proactive approach to identifying measles outbreaks, often detecting the virus days or even months before clinical cases are confirmed. Studies from Colorado and Oregon published recently by the CDC demonstrate this capability, with one Oregon study suggesting sewage testing could have provided a warning over two months prior to an outbreak. These findings reinforce the value of wastewater testing for tracking various infectious diseases.

The national wastewater surveillance system, operational since 2020 and currently serving 147 million people across over 1,300 sites, is facing a proposed drastic funding reduction. A Trump administration budget plan would decrease its annual funding from approximately $125 million to $25 million. While CDC officials indicate this would allow for sustaining critical activities, it would necessitate prioritization, potentially impacting the system's reach and support for state initiatives.