Wastewater-based epidemiology is the process of using wastewater to monitor levels of pathogens, chemicals and pharmaceuticals in a population and has a number of applications, including acting as an early warning system for outbreaks. Wastewater and environmental surveillance has been in use since the 1960s, but interest really expanded in this area in response to the the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this webinar the speaker, Kath O'Reilly, provides an overview of the study of infectious diseases, and how epidemiologists typically look for new outbreaks or monitor disease control activities. Kath describes some of their ongoing research and the remaining challenges in maximising the utility of this novel data source.
This webinar has been organised by the Sustainable Wastewater Management Technical Panel, part of the FWR Community. Find out more about the Community and how you can get involved.
