Wastewater-Based Epidemiology
How does Mono County use Wastewater Surveillance?
Testing wastewater is a helpful way to understand how diseases spread in our community. Mono County Public Health (MCPH) is working with the Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) to regularly test wastewater in the area. Even though wastewater testing for diseases has been around for almost 70 years, it is still a newer method for Mono County.
MCPH staff collect samples from the wastewater treatment facility at MCWD. They take the samples after large debris is removed but before the water is fully treated. Then, a lab studies the samples to see how much virus is present. Wastewater testing can’t tell exactly how many people are sick, but it can show if virus levels in the community are rising, falling, or staying the same. This helps experts understand disease trends and gives important information to healthcare providers and the public.
CURRENT SAMPLING TARGETS:
- SARS-CoV-2
- RSV
- Mpox
- Influenza A
- Influenza subtype H1
- Influenza subtype H3
- Influenza subtype H5
- Influenza B
Interested in checking out the results? Click the link below!
Verily Wastewater Dashboard -- Click Here to View Most Current Results
Mono County Public Health collaborated with UC Davis to create a dashboard to reflect current wastewater levels and trends. Please be advised that changes are still be made to improve this dashboard. Access HERE.
UC Davis - Mono County Wastewater Dashboard
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NOTE: MCPH's contract with WastewaterSCAN expired on 6/30/24. A new contract with the CDC's National Wastewater Surveillance System was offered and the Mammoth Community Water District site was onboarded. There was a lapse in wastewater data/reporting while transitioning to the new program. Sampling resumed 10/2/24.
Historical Mono County Wastewater data can be found HERE
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Additional Resources:
Wastewater Surveillance Informational Video
Influenza A Fact Sheet - WastewaterSCAN
Publication on Methods: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266652472200386X
