Why in News: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is expanding wastewater surveillance to track 10 viruses across 50 cities over the next six months, up from the current five cities, to enable early detection of disease outbreaks.
Introduction
- Public health surveillance is a critical tool for preventing and controlling disease outbreaks.
- In this context, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has initiated wastewater surveillance to monitor pathogens in communities.
- This marks an important step in strengthening India’s preparedness against emerging and re-emerging diseases, especially in the wake of COVID-19.
Uses of Wastewater Surveillance
1. Early Detection of Outbreaks – Identifies rise in pathogen load even before clinical symptoms appear.
2. Predictive Tool for Pandemics – Helps anticipate and mitigate outbreaks through near real-time monitoring.
3. Covers Entire Population – Captures data from symptomatic, asymptomatic, and pre-symptomatic individuals.
4. Resource Optimisation – Pinpoints hotspots, enabling targeted allocation of testing, vaccination, and treatment.
5. Cost-Effective and Non-Invasive – Eliminates need for mass testing; one sewage sample represents thousands of people.
6. Environmental Management – Assesses water quality, pollution sources, and protects aquatic ecosystems.
7. Global Best Practice – Used in many countries post-COVID; supported by WHO and UNEP.
Viruses Under Watch
- Currently: COVID-19, Polio.
- Planned: Avian Influenza Virus (AIV), and pathogens causing fever, diarrhoea, respiratory distress, and acute encephalitis syndrome.
Process of Wastewater Surveillance
- People infected shed virus/bacteria fragments in urine, stool, or through washing.
- These fragments enter sewage and accumulate in wastewater.
- Sampling: Taken from sewage before treatment.
- Laboratory Testing: Detects and quantifies pathogens.
- Timeline: Results available within 5–7 days.
- Public Health Use: Enables preventive advisories, scaling up testing, and targeted vaccination drives.
Challenges
- Need for robust laboratory infrastructure and trained manpower.
- Ensuring representativeness in cities with fragmented sewage systems.
- Data integration with existing surveillance networks like IDSP and ILI/SARI monitoring.
- State-level capacity and funding gaps.
Way Forward
- Integrate wastewater surveillance with national disease surveillance programmes.
- Build real-time data platforms for public health decision-making.
- Enhance coordination between Centre, States, and local bodies.
- Invest in laboratory and genomic sequencing capacity.
- Use surveillance data for both health security and environmental sustainability.
Conclusion
Wastewater-based epidemiology is a transformative innovation in disease preparedness. By covering large populations, offering real-time insights, and enabling early interventions, it strengthens both public health and environmental management.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper II – Governance & Health
- Government policies and interventions for development in health sector.
GS Paper III – Science & Technology / Environment
- Awareness in the fields of biotechnology and public health.
Mains Practice Questions
Q. “Wastewater surveillance can be a game-changer in India’s fight against emerging and re-emerging diseases.” Discuss.