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Review
. 2024 Nov 30;17(1):5.
doi: 10.1007/s12560-024-09616-0.

Harnessing the Power of Next-Generation Sequencing in Wastewater-Based Epidemiology and Global Disease Surveillance

Kata Farkas  1 , Rachel C Williams  2   3 , Luke S Hillary  4 , Alvaro Garcia-Delgado  2 , Eleanor Jameson  2 , Jessica L Kevill  2 , Matthew J Wade  5 , Jasmine M S Grimsley  6 , Davey L Jones  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Harnessing the Power of Next-Generation Sequencing in Wastewater-Based Epidemiology and Global Disease Surveillance

Kata Farkas et al. Food Environ Virol. .

Abstract

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a valuable surveillance tool for SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens globally, providing insights into community-level infections, including asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic cases. While most WBE programmes focus on quantitative pathogen assessment, next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches have enabled more detailed analyses, including variant and recombinant genotype identification for viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and poliovirus. Despite recent NGS advancements allowing for the detection of known and novel viruses in wastewater, many of these tools remain underutilised in routine WBE. This short review critically evaluates the applicability of common NGS tools in routine WBE programmes, assessing their capability for identifying emerging threats with epidemic or pandemic potential. Here, we provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating NGS techniques into WBE and the use of results for informed decision-making within a One Health framework, aiming to enhance global infectious disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness.

Keywords: One Health; Pandemic preparedness; Viromics; Wastewater monitoring; Wastewater sequencing; Zoonotic diseases.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Summary of the sequencing-based approaches used for wastewater-based epidemiology.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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