01: Wastewater Epidemiology 2.0

Music City Center 

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a vital public health tool for understanding community viral dynamics. Its application has evolved significantly, with health departments worldwide now utilizing WBE for disease surveillance. This study introduces a straightforward state-space hierarchical modeling strategy to analyze virus levels in wastewater, with special consideration given to small populations and low viral concentrations. A key focus is establishing a reliable link between observed viral levels in wastewater and the corresponding number of infections in the community. By addressing these challenges, our model enhances the ability to translate wastewater data into actionable public health insights, supporting timely interventions and improving pandemic preparedness.