Uncovering hidden threats: Case for wastewater surveillance in Ghana

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a groundbreaking method has emerged to track the spread of the virus: wastewater surveillance. 

The use of this technology in Ghana can improve disease monitoring and response by detecting pathogens presence in sewage, providing early warning signs of epidemics.

Researchers around the world have had success tracking the prevalence of COVID-19 in communities using wastewater surveillance. 

Even before clinical cases are reported, they can find genetic material from the virus by collecting and examining sewage samples. This technique provides a non-invasive, low-cost means of tracking population health and pinpointing possible hotspots for focused interventions.

Wastewater surveillance has the potential to improve disease surveillance and response strategies in Ghana.

Research shows that wastewater surveillance can provide valuable insights into COVID-19's presence and spread, allowing researchers to evaluate public health measures' effectiveness and make informed decisions to control the virus.

As a country, we may benefit greatly from the deployment of wastewater surveillance in the fight against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

We can enhance public health risk detection and management by integrating wastewater analysis with clinical testing; resulting in targeted interventions, early outbreak identification, and improved population protection.

Considering all these, our government should implement wastewater surveillance technology to enhance public health infrastructure, improve disease surveillance, and protect citizens from future illnesses, fostering a more resilient and healthy future.

Gyasi Albert Gyan,

Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho.

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System Summary

Uncovering hidden threats: Case for wastewater surveillance in Ghana

The article advocates for the implementation of wastewater surveillance in Ghana as a vital public health tool. It discusses how monitoring sewage can provide early warnings of disease outbreaks and track the spread of infections, offering valuable data for health interventions.

The piece highlights the benefits of this method, such as its effectiveness in detecting viruses like COVID-19 and poliovirus in other countries, and urges Ghanaian authorities to consider adopting it to strengthen the nation's public health system.