DiscoverWSJ’s The Future of EverythingForecasting Future Diseases With Every Flush
Forecasting Future Diseases With Every Flush

Forecasting Future Diseases With Every Flush

Update: 2023-04-281
Share

Description

At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, epidemiologists looked to our sewers to help figure out the scale of the virus’ spread. It worked, giving some public health officials a heads-up before Covid surges. Now, researchers are taking the lessons from that pandemic, and working to put the wastewater from bathing, toilets, laundry machines and dishwashers to use in monitoring the spread of other diseases. WSJ’s Danny Lewis speaks with environmental microbiologist, engineer and epidemiologist Marlene Wolfe about why it’s so important to look at wastewater if we want to stop the next pandemic. 




Further reading: 


For Future Viral Threats, Health Officials Look to Sewage - WSJ 


From the Sewers, Clues to Covid-19’s Next Moves - WSJ 


CDC Will Test Sewage for Polio in Some U.S. Communities - WSJ 




Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Forecasting Future Diseases With Every Flush

Forecasting Future Diseases With Every Flush

The Wall Street Journal