Past, Present, and Future of Wastewater-Based Epidemiology

GT Molecular joined the burgeoning wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) field during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial validated molecular workflow stemmed from a local collaboration between academia and industry that culminated in a validated service offering spanning 44 states within the Continental United States. While the initial service offering included SARS-CoV-2 and all associated controls, wastewater began gaining traction as a viable sample to monitor additional pathogens including mpox, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. Throughout the WBE expansion journey, we at GT Molecular learned how to quickly adapt workflows and assay development pipelines to accommodate various pathogens with unique features and characteristics.

During the presentation at NACCHO360, Dr. Kane, GT Molecular’ s Director of Research and Development, outlined various success stories resulting from wastewater data and also discussed hard lessons learned during the expansion phase. The future of WBE from the direction and guidance of the CDC was also be explored. Ultimately, wastewater surveillance continues to proves a tractable and economic compliment to traditional, clinic-based epidemiology.