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Q&A
Wastewater surveillance protocols and infectious diseases monitored
1:09:04
ยท
110 sec
Council Member Moya inquires about current wastewater collection and sample testing protocols. Sudha Reddy explains the current practices and plans for wastewater surveillance in New York City.
- Samples are collected weekly from multiple sources in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Protection
- Current testing includes SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and poliovirus
- Coordination with New York State Health Department and federal government for reporting
- Plans to implement testing for H5N1 (bird flu) in wastewater, though not currently operational
Francisco P. Moya
1:09:04
Thank you.
1:09:06
And I want to switch over to the wastewater surveillance.
1:09:12
Can you describe what the current wastewater collection and sample testing protocols are?
1:09:21
And is the wastewater testing for COVID nineteen still occurring?
1:09:26
And what other infectious diseases are you currently monitoring for testing?
Dr. Michelle Morse
1:09:32
Absolutely.
1:09:33
I'll pass that one to my colleague, Sudha Reddy.
Sudha Reddy
1:09:38
Hi.
1:09:38
Thank you for the question.
1:09:39
Yes.
1:09:40
So for wastewater surveillance, do collect samples every week from multiple sources.
1:09:46
We collaborate with our colleagues in the Department of Environmental Protection.
1:09:52
Those samples, we do still test for SARS CoV two.
1:09:55
We also test for influenza A and B, polio virus, and I think that's it.
Francisco P. Moya
1:10:04
Got it.
1:10:05
And are you coordinating with the federal government to detect and test with the reports on New York City's wastewater as well?
Sudha Reddy
1:10:16
Yes, currently we do coordinate with the New York State Health Department and also with the federal government.
Francisco P. Moya
1:10:22
Talked a little bit about bird flu before.
1:10:25
Just a quick question on that.
1:10:26
Is the bird flu detectable through the wastewater testing, and is testing being used to monitor that current outbreak?
1:10:35
Outbreak?
Sudha Reddy
1:10:37
We are planning to test for h five.
1:10:41
The the strain is h five n one.
1:10:45
So there is a plan to test for h five, but it's not up and running yet.
Francisco P. Moya
1:10:50
Okay.
1:10:50
But it is coming?
Sudha Reddy
1:10:53
That is the plan.
Francisco P. Moya
1:10:54
Okay.