A novel approach to detect emerging pandemic threats is gaining traction, with experts advocating for a network of wastewater surveillance at major international airports. By monitoring wastewater at just 20 strategically positioned "sentinel airports," researchers believe they can identify new virus variants as effectively as a vast network involving thousands of airports. Major hubs such as London, Paris, Dubai, and Singapore are considered critical for this global early-warning system.
The Global Epidemic and Mobility model, a simulation tool, demonstrates the efficiency of such a network. It suggests that this limited setup can detect outbreaks almost as quickly as a more extensive network, with the larger setup being only 20% faster but significantly more costly. In addition to cost-effectiveness, these airport-based networks could provide crucial information about disease outbreaks early in an epidemic, estimating transmission rates and potential infection numbers from limited exposure.
However, individual airports may hesitate to join the network due to concerns about the impact on operations if infectious disease data becomes public. Trevor Charles from the University of Waterloo suggests that data-handling agreements could alleviate these worries and encourage participation. Despite potential political hurdles, including coordination through international bodies like the World Health Organization, proponents argue for the feasibility of a global surveillance network with minimal monitoring.
"This modelling study is the first to provide the actual number of sentinel airports required to support effective global surveillance while optimising resource use," said Jiaying Li at the University of Sydney in Australia.
Experts highlight that genetic material from pathogens can enter wastewater during flights, as noted by Guillaume St-Onge from Northeastern University. This insight underscores the potential of wastewater monitoring in capturing early signs of disease transmission.
"If you’re going to the bathroom on an aircraft, and if you blow your nose and put that in the toilet – or if you do whatever you have to do – there’s some chance that some of the genetic material from the pathogen is going into the waste water," stated Guillaume St-Onge.
Despite these promising findings, the system's real-world effectiveness remains under scrutiny. Jiaying Li emphasizes the need for practical evaluation to determine its operational feasibility. Further challenges include optimizing sampling methods for aircraft wastewater and addressing political complications, particularly following the US's withdrawal from the World Health Organization.
"contributes towards making [the monitoring network] a reality sooner rather than later," remarked Ibitoye.
