Wastewater Surveillance: A Game-Changer for Public Health in India

In August 2025, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) announced to initiate wastewater surveillance for 10 viruses across 50 cities over the next six months. Currently, five cities are being monitored. The move is aimed at identifying any increase in virus growth trend at the earliest.

Concept of Wastewater Surveillance

  • Wastewater surveillance refers to systematic collection and testing of sewage/wastewater samples to detect genetic material of pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.
  • It is a non-invasive method, as individuals do not need to be tested directly. Instead, samples from sewage represent the health status of an entire community.
  • Already applied in ....
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