Wastewater-Based Surveillance of Infection Diseases: Towards a Global Perspective

Context
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a macro-epidemiological approach that aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of population exposure to infectious agents, and biological and chemical contaminants through the analysis of wastewater. WBE experienced a remarkable upsurge on a global scale during the COVID-19 epidemic. The combination of multidisciplinary approaches has enabled the development of new epidemiological indicators providing an excellent approximation of the dynamics of the epidemic and the nature of the SARS-CoV-2 variants. The potential of this approach is considerable: detection and monitoring of emerging infections (including respiratory viral infections, arboviruses, Monkeypox…), sexually transmitted infections, antibiotic resistance etc., all indicators that would provide governments with an integrated picture of health risks and disparities in access to care. The conference will feature scientific presentations, highlighting the current state of knowledge and perspectives and explore how to integrate this approach into national and international monitoring plans (Science to policy), with European and international politicians committed in implementing plans to monitor and face future infectious outbreaks. The conference will present examples of ongoing projects from all types of countries worldwide

Audience

Researchers, officials, stakeholders, European & international civil servants, specialists.

Registration

For online participation, please register using this link by 31 October 2024.

Conference program

SESSION 1 (morning) – 9 AM to 12:30 PM

Wastewater-based infectious diseases surveillance – scientific approaches and proof of concept

Topic 1: WBE for pathogens monitoring

Topic 2: How to match signals from wastewater with real incidence? How to integrate multisource data?

Topic 3: Adapting wastewater-based infectious diseases surveillance for diverse sanitation infrastructures

SESSION 2 (afternoon) - 2 PM - 5 PM

Wastewater-based infectious diseases surveillance – from research to policy

Panel 1: Wastewater-based infectious diseases surveillance: a global perspective - ambitions and limits

Panel 2: Wastewater-based infectious diseases surveillance: ethical & legal considerations

Panel 3: How to make wastewater-based infectious diseases surveillance sustainable in a global perspective