In early 2025, Houston researchers detected the measles virus in local wastewater—10 days before Texas confirmed its first measles case on January 17. The discovery came through routine screening for infectious diseases in water samples, a nationwide effort made permanent after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wastewater sampling has a long history. First used in the 1940s to monitor polio outbreaks, it gained renewed relevance during the pandemic when advances in molecular testing transformed it into a powerful early-warning system.
In 2020, the CDC launched the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) to strengthen the nation’s ability to track SARS-CoV-2 and curb outbreaks. Wastewater is the water discharged from homes, businesses, and industries, carrying pollutants and organic matter. Wastewater surveillance analyzes this water before it enters treatment plants to detect bacterial and viral pathogens. Results emerge as early as 5 days after wastewater enters the sewer system…