Wastewater Surveillance for Norovirus, California, USA

Abstract

Norovirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis and imposes a substantial disease burden. In California, USA, norovirus surveillance is limited. We evaluated correlations between wastewater norovirus concentrations and available public health surveillance data. Wastewater surveillance for norovirus genotype GII in California provided timely, localized, and actionable data for public health authorities.

Keywords: California; United States; enteric infections; norovirus; viruses; wastewater surveillance.

Figure

NREVSS norovirus test positivity (21-day center-aligned moving average) nationally (orange lines) and for the western United States (green lines) and wastewater aggregates (10-day center-aligned moving average) for norovirus, normalized by PMMoV (black lines), California, USA, December 17, 2022–December 17, 2023. A) Statewide; B) Bay Area; C) greater Sacramento; D) rural northern California; E) San Joaquin Valley; F) southern California. NREVSS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System; PMMoV, pepper mild mottle virus; WW, wastewater.