Japan Develops Covid Wastewater Surveillance
The wastewater surveillance system has shown promising results, with the ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and track trends in infectious diseases, and its implementation could lead to significant improvements in public health and pandemic preparedness.
A Japanese scientist, KITAJIMA Masaaki, has developed a technology to detect and analyze viruses in wastewater, including SARS-CoV-2, which can track trends in infectious diseases and play a significant role in border control measures to prevent the entry of viruses into Japan.
KITAJIMA's research, which began in 2011, focused on detecting gastroenteritis viruses in aquatic environments and analyzing their genotypes. His work led to the concept of wastewater surveillance, which involves monitoring and analyzing wastewater to identify and track infectious diseases. The EPISENSTM method, developed by KITAJIMA, is a technology with enhanced detection sensitivity that can detect even a single new case of infection per 100,000 people per day.
Researchers at Waseda University and Kanagawa University of Human Services have conducted an economic evaluation of a wastewater surveillance system for COVID-19 testing in long-term care settings. The study found that early detection through wastewater surveillance could generate net benefits of $41 million in 4 weeks. The system combines wastewater data with clinical testing thresholds to guide timely interventions and could be implemented in Japan to enhance pandemic preparedness in vulnerable populations.
The study's findings are expected to increase support for wastewater surveillance in Japan and beyond, as it offers a scalable, cost-effective strategy for early detection and treatment of COVID-19. The technology has the potential to generate significant healthcare savings and improve outbreak response, making it a valuable tool in the fight against infectious diseases.