Wastewater Target Pathogens of Public Health Importance for Expanded Sampling, Houston, Texas, USA

Abstract

Building on the success of initiatives put forth during the COVID-19 pandemic response, US health officials are expanding wastewater surveillance programs to track other target pathogens and diseases of public health interest. The Houston Health Department in Houston, Texas, USA, conducted a hypothesis-generating study whereby infectious disease subject matter experts suggested potential targets. This study addressed 2 criteria recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for selecting wastewater targets. Results can be used as a basis of a questionnaire for a future population-based study to recommend targets of highest priority to include for expanded wastewater sampling.

Keywords

• Wastewater surveillance
• target pathogens
• expanded sampling
• wastewater-based epidemiological monitoring
• public health
• communicable diseases