university of Guelph Rescues Vital wastewater Surveillance Program
A critical wastewater surveillance program, previously discontinued by the Ontario provincial government in July, has been relaunched by researchers at the University of Guelph (UofG). This initiative aims to provide early warnings for infectious diseases like COVID-19, RSV, and influenza, mitigating future health crises and bolstering Canada’s biomanufacturing sector.
The program goes beyond simply tracking infection rates. By monitoring wastewater for these viruses, the uofg team hopes to create early warning systems that can help prevent shortages of crucial supplies, such as COVID-19 tests and personal protective equipment (PPE). this proactive approach ensures better preparedness when Canadians need these resources most.
The program’s revival is largely thanks to Dr. Lawrence Goodridge, a professor in the Department of Food Science at UofG, Canada Research Chair in Foodborne Pathogen Dynamics, and Co-Director of INSPIRE – an Integrated Network for the Surveillance of Pathogens. “The biomanufacturing and biomedical supply chains were severely disrupted,” explained Goodridge. “The idea is that if we can use wastewater analysis to find pathogens early…we can work with those supply chains to help them understand the situation so they can make plans.” he further highlighted the past challenges: “A number of laboratory supplies are made from plastic…because of the shortage there was a time where we could not get laboratory supplies to do the testing that was needed.”
A $15 million grant, primarily from the Canada Biomedical Research fund, fueled the program’s relaunch in Guelph. While currently limited to Guelph, Goodridge hopes for expanded funding to resume surveillance in Orangeville and the Niagara Region, areas previously covered before the provincial cuts. “If you have to wait to order supplies and restart everything…that can take two or three months and so at that point the head start, the early warning is gone,” he emphasized.
The Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDG Health) dashboard, updated weekly with data from the University of Guelph, went live on November 28th. The program is slated to run for at least another three to four years.
The program also provides valuable hands-on training for university students, allowing them to contribute to real-world problem-solving. “Good health decisions come from good information – whether for individuals or our community as a whole,” stated Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical officer of Health and CEO for WDG Health, in a statement. “This leadership from the UofG gives each of us,our community,and our local health care system access to data which can help us make decisions that protect our health.”
while other universities, such as Windsor and Ottawa, have also restarted similar initiatives, meaningful data gaps remain. goodridge noted, “The GTA for example, Northern Ontario for example, these were all areas where we saw emergence of new variants of COVID during the pandemic.” He added that the Public Health Agency of Canada will conduct limited surveillance, but widespread coverage is still lacking.
Wastewater Surveillance: Tracking Viruses in Canada and its Implications for the U.S.
The resurgence of viral illnesses across the globe has renewed interest in wastewater surveillance as a powerful tool for public health monitoring. Canada’s experience offers valuable insights into the effectiveness and challenges of this approach, providing a potential model for similar initiatives in the United States.
In Canada, the University of Guelph (UofG) quickly reactivated its wastewater surveillance program following the initial COVID-19 pandemic. Their pre-existing infrastructure and expertise allowed for a seamless transition, highlighting the benefits of proactive investment in public health infrastructure. “I don’t know any time frame so it’s a patchwork of surveillance,” notes a source familiar with the program, emphasizing the ongoing need for thorough and coordinated efforts.
The ease with which UofG restarted its program underscores the importance of preparedness. Having the necessary laboratory facilities, trained personnel, and established procedures in place proved crucial for a rapid response to the evolving viral landscape. This preparedness stands in contrast to situations where such infrastructure is lacking, leading to delays in detecting and responding to outbreaks.
Data from Canada’s national wastewater monitoring dashboard, last updated December 17th, reveals the current viral situation. While data collection varied across regions—with the most recent data from Prince Edward Island collected on December 8th and the closest data for Waterloo region coming from Toronto on December 1st (showing high levels of COVID-19)—the overall picture suggests moderate COVID-19 activity nationwide. Flu A activity is also moderate, while Flu B remains low, and RSV activity is high.
The insights gleaned from canada’s wastewater surveillance program offer valuable lessons for the United States. Investing in robust, nationwide wastewater monitoring systems could significantly enhance early detection capabilities, allowing for more timely and effective public health interventions.This proactive approach could help mitigate the impact of future outbreaks, protecting communities and minimizing disruptions.
The U.S. could learn from Canada’s experience by prioritizing the advancement of standardized protocols, ensuring sufficient funding for research and infrastructure, and fostering collaboration between federal, state, and local health agencies. A coordinated national strategy, mirroring Canada’s efforts, could prove invaluable in safeguarding public health in the face of emerging viral threats.
The ongoing monitoring of wastewater for viral indicators is not just a Canadian initiative; it’s a global effort with significant implications for the U.S. By learning from Canada’s successes and challenges, the U.S. can strengthen its own public health infrastructure and better protect its citizens from future outbreaks.
Link to the Canadian National Wastewater Monitoring Dashboard
