Sewer may be repulsive, but its creation changed the history of civilization. Without it, the constant exposure to infectious and toxic agents could lead to the emergence of numerous diseases, compromising the quality of life, with an impact on the longevity of the population.
The development of sewage systems runs parallel to our evolutionary history. More rudimentary designs, as in the early settlements of early civilization, were improved upon in ancient Greece and by other peoples. A great leap took place in the modern age, in the 19th century, coinciding with the advance of knowledge about the pathogens that cause communicable diseases.
Today, billions of liters of water with waste are taken every day from population clusters to be treated in complex systems.
With such waste comes opportunities to obtain important information about human health and disease. The idea of monitoring the characteristics of sewage material is old, but it expands with the use of technology.
The first study that gained prominence was published in England in 1854. Documenting the detection of the cholera vibrio in London sewers, a causal relationship with the disease was established. Studies that mapped the transmission of viruses that cause polio and hepatitis A followed.
There has been a great leap in quality in the techniques for detecting the genetic material of germs. Thus, better sensitivity is achieved to see which agents are spreading around.
Is there a way to know what has been happening with Covid-19 by looking at the sewer? Yes. Despite being a disease of respiratory transmission, a significant number of patients shed Sars-CoV-2 in their feces. With that, you have one more tool to predict if a transmission wave is coming.
And how is the pandemic now? While Brazil and other countries in the Americas are experiencing a downturn, the numbers in Europe and especially Asia are expanding. The increase in cases in Hong Kong is very striking, where there is a collapse in the health system.
Why isn’t something similar seen in the Americas? Some believe that it is because there have been too many cases that, associated with vaccination coverage, would have led to sufficient population protection. But there’s no way to say that.
US sewage monitoring data, announced this week and released by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), point to a significant increase in the presence of Sars-CoV-2 genetic material in several American cities. In some cases, the increase in detection exceeds one thousand times.
It is too early to say that the pandemic is over. On the contrary, its dissemination capacity persists and now it seems that part of Asia, spared in the first two years, has arrived.
Could another wave occur in the Americas and therefore in Brazil? Yes. Whether as a result of the relaxation of prevention measures or the arrival of the new sub-variant of the Ômicron, called BA.2.
There is no way to predict whether other variants, with the ability to “circumvent” the defense built up by vaccines or by previous variants, may appear. Experts agree that this possibility exists.
This is not the time to neglect surveillance measures. Whether with the identification of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths, or with indirect measures, such as monitoring the appearance of Sars-CoV-2 in sewage.
Knowing, in advance, if there are new threats coming, increases the chances of being better prepared.
Chad-98Weaver, a distinguished author at NewsBulletin247, excels in the craft of article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for storytelling, Chad delivers informative and engaging content that resonates with readers across various subjects. His contributions are a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field of journalism.
