Early-warning system to protect and promote human health and inform Houston’s response to viral outbreaks

A lot of progress has been made to protect and promote human health with the most notable result being increased life expectancy. Yet, the emergence of prominent outbreaks of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance have remained as critical threats to global public health today.

To address the challenge of anticipating and responding to prominent outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Houston Wastewater Epidemiology has implemented a comprehensive, cost-effective system to monitor community infection dynamics of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19. We are also working to expand the comprehensive wastewater monitoring system to target influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), mpox, and other pathogens.

April 2025

NACCHO

Preparedness Summit
April 29 – May 2, 2025
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
San Antonio, TX

May 2025

NACCHO

Preparedness Summit
April 29 – May 2, 2025
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
San Antonio, TX

June 2025

Water Environment Federation (WEF)

Wastewater Disease Surveillance Summit
June 3 – 4, 2025 (Virtual and In Person)
California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities
Los Angeles, CA

International Water Association (IWA)

11th Microbial Ecology and Water Engineering Conference (MEWE – 11) Managing Water Microbiomes
June 2 – 5, 2025
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA

July 2025

NACCHO360

Bright Lights, Bold Ideas: Shaping the Future of Public Health Practice
July 14 – 18, 2025
Anaheim Convention Center
Anaheim, CA