Wastewater surveillance detects measles virus ahead of reported cases: study

LOS ANGELES, May 12 (Xinhua) -- An innovative disease detection program has identified the measles virus in Houston's wastewater days before official cases were confirmed, offering a promising early warning system amid a nationwide surge in measles infections, according to a newly-published study.

The surveillance program, developed by researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine, the School of Public Health at University of Texas Health Science Center - Houston, the Houston Health Department and Rice University, detected the measles virus in wastewater samples collected on Jan. 7 from two Houston water treatment facilities serving more than 218,000 residents.