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. 2024 Jul;29(28):2400231.
doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.28.2400231.

Pathogen prioritisation for wastewater surveillance ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, France

Laila Toro  1 , Henriette de Valk  2 , Laura Zanetti  2 , Caroline Huot  3 , Arnaud Tarantola  4 , Nelly Fournet  4 , Laurent Moulin  5 , Ali Atoui  6 , Benoît Gassilloud  6 , Damien Mouly  7 , Frédéric Jourdain  1
Affiliations

Pathogen prioritisation for wastewater surveillance ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, France

Laila Toro et al. Euro Surveill. 2024 Jul.

Abstract

BackgroundWastewater surveillance is an effective approach to monitor population health, as exemplified by its role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.AimThis study explores the possibility of extending wastewater surveillance to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, focusing on identifying priority pathogen targets that are relevant and feasible to monitor in wastewater for these events.MethodsA list of 60 pathogens of interest for general public health surveillance for the Games was compiled. Each pathogen was evaluated against three inclusion criteria: (A) analytical feasibility; (B) relevance, i.e. with regards to the specificities of the event and the characteristics of the pathogen; and (C) added value to inform public health decision-making. Analytical feasibility was assessed through evidence from peer-reviewed publications demonstrating the detectability of pathogens in sewage, refining the initial list to 25 pathogens. Criteria B and C were evaluated via expert opinion using the Delphi method. The panel consisting of some 30 experts proposed five additional pathogens meeting criterion A, totalling 30 pathogens assessed throughout the three-round iterative questionnaire. Pathogens failing to reach 70% group consensus threshold underwent further deliberation by a subgroup of experts.ResultsSix priority targets suitable for wastewater surveillance during the Games were successfully identified: poliovirus, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, mpox virus, SARS-CoV-2 and measles virus.ConclusionThis study introduced a model framework for identifying context-specific wastewater surveillance targets for a mass gathering. Successful implementation of a wastewater surveillance plan for Paris 2024 could incentivise similar monitoring efforts for other mass gatherings globally.

Keywords: Delphi; Olympic; Paralympic; mass gathering; pathogen; public health; surveillance; wastewater.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Framework for identifying priority targets for wastewater surveillance among pathogens deemed of interest for general public health surveillance during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, France
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flowchart summarising steps taken to identify priority targets for wastewater surveillance during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, France
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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