A global aircraft-based wastewater genomic surveillance network for early warning of future pandemics

Jiaying Li*, Ian Hosegood, David Powell, Ben Tscharke, Jenny Lawler, Kevin V. Thomas, Jochen F. Mueller

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

International airports can have a key role in screening, detecting, and mitigating cross-border transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and potentially other infectious diseases. With aircraft passengers representing a subpopulation of a country or region, aircraft-based wastewater surveillance can be a promising approach to effectively identifying emerging viruses, tracing their evolution, and mapping global spread with international flights. Therefore, we propose the development of a global aircraft-based wastewater genomic surveillance network, with the busiest international airports as central nodes and continuing air travel journeys as vectors. This surveillance programme requires routinely collecting aircraft wastewater samples for microbiological analysis and sequencing and linking the resulting data with associated international air traffic information. With the creation of a strong international alliance between the airline industry and health authorities, this surveillance network will potentially complement public health systems with a true early warning ability to inform decision making for new variants and future global health risks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e791-e795
Number of pages5
JournalThe Lancet Global Health
Volume11
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2023

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A global aircraft-based wastewater genomic surveillance network for early warning of future pandemics'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this