Milwaukee health officials are employing innovative methods to monitor respiratory illnesses, including RSV and COVID-19, as cases steadily increase within the community.
According to a report from ABC12, the Milwaukee Health Department began utilizing wastewater testing at the Zeidler Municipal Building on Dec. 19 to track the presence of viruses such as flu A, flu B, RSV, and COVID-19.
Dr. David Payne explained that the process involves concentrating viruses in wastewater and breaking them open to analyze their RNA. Wastewater samples are collected from Jones Island every 15 minutes using an automatic sampler, allowing health officials to gather comprehensive data. These samples are split between the health department and the School of Freshwater Sciences for further study.
Recent findings show a rise in COVID-19 and RSV cases, while flu A and flu B remain less prevalent. Payne noted that the current respiratory season is relatively mild but cautioned that case numbers could climb as the season progresses.
The collected data is publicly accessible through an online dashboard that provides daily updates. Payne emphasized the importance of this information in helping individuals take preventive measures such as handwashing, immunization, and masking to reduce the spread of illnesses.
While the current dashboard tracks flu, RSV, and COVID-19, health officials hope to expand monitoring to include whooping cough in the future, though resource limitations have delayed this effort.
This proactive approach underscores Milwaukee’s commitment to public health by offering timely insights that empower the community to stay informed and protected.
