Vermont Wastewater Respiratory Illness Surveillance Data

<p>View this data in the <a target='_blank' href='https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/respiratory-illnesses/respiratory-illness-activity-vermont#wastewaterdashboard' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>Wastewater Monitoring Dashboard</a>.</p><p>Data shows wastewater testing results for influenza A, the most common seasonal flu virus in humans, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Data come from five participating water treatment facilities in Essex Junction, South Burlington, Middlebury, Montpelier, and Ludlow.</p><p>Water samples are collected 1-3 times a week and are tested at either WastewaterSCAN or Verily laboratories. Data for RSV may be added to the dashboard in the future, as well as additional participating water treatment facilities.</p><p>Wastewater surveillance can identify the presence and estimate the amount of a pathogen in a population (sewershed) without relying on clinical data, such as from hospitals and laboratories. It complements other types of public health data, often providing signals sooner than other surveillance systems.</p><p>Wastewater monitoring does not establish who or how many people are infected. It cannot determine when an infection began or differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic infections. Pathogens present in small amounts may not be detected, so negative results do not necessarily mean that the pathogen is absent. &nbsp;</p><p>Data from a wastewater treatment facility represent people who live, work, play, or travel through a sewershed. People using septic systems, disposable diapers or who are connected to treatment facilities not participating in wastewater surveillance may not be represented. Wastewater levels and trends can be influenced by external factors, such as heavy rain which can cause pathogens (e.g., from animals) present in the environment to enter the sewershed.</p><p><br /><strong>Data Sources</strong>: wastewaterSCAN, Verily, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;</p>