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Standards Development
This proposed International Standard gives a method to detect SARS-CoV-2 and its variants as well as other viruses in wastewater. This standard is intended to provide a cost effective, rapid and reliable detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the population and to deliver relevant information of an increased genomic and epidemiological virus emergence. Wastewater monitoring should be considered as a complementary and independent approach to COVID-19 surveillance and testing strategies. The analysis method refers to the recommendation of the EU Commission to EU Member States and is based on the detection of genes by RT-PCR and gene sequencing methods.
Monitoring of waste water is strongly recommended by the EU Commission. The detection of SARSCoV- 2 in waste water serves as a rapid and reliable source of information on the spread of SARSCoV- 2 in the population. Such analyses provide a valuable contribution to improved genomic and epidemiological surveillance. Effluent monitoring should be considered as a complementary and independent approach to COVID-19 surveillance and testing strategies. It remains a critical element for COVID-19 pandemic surveillance, containment and mitigation. SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in waste water can also provide important complementary and independent information for the public health decision-making process related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, waste water surveillance needs to be more systematically incorporated into national testing strategies for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Effluent surveillance is a tool for monitoring trends and is not an absolute means of drawing conclusions about the prevalence of COVID-19 in the population. It can serve different purposes at different stages of an epidemic. This proposed method provides an analysis that should be made available and used in practice to ensure that the data collected is reliable and comparable. Effluent monitoring will provide early warning of future possible outbreaks of other pathogens of concern or threats from other emerging contaminants. The method can also be used for early detection of other viruses and help prevent further pandemics.
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