With the support and participation of the World Health Organization
Date: 12 November 2024
Location: Paris Brain Institute (https://institutducerveau-icm.org) and online
World Health Organization, 4EU+ Alliance (as part of the SWEALTH project), OBEPINE, Sorbonne Université, Geneva Health Forum, Panthéon Assas University
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a macro-epidemiological approach that aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of population exposure to infectious agents, and biological and chemical contaminants through the analysis of wastewater. WBE experienced a remarkable upsurge on a global scale during the COVID-19 epidemic. The combination of multidisciplinary approaches has enabled the development of new epidemiological indicators providing an excellent approximation of the dynamics of the epidemic and the nature of the SARS-CoV-2 variants. The potential of this approach is considerable: detection and monitoring of emerging infections (including respiratory viral infections, arboviruses, Monkeypox…), sexually transmitted infections, antibiotic resistance etc., all indicators that would provide governments with an integrated picture of health risks and disparities in access to care. The conference will feature scientific presentations, highlighting the current state of knowledge and perspectives and explore how to integrate this approach into national and international monitoring plans (Science to policy), with European and international politicians committed in implementing plans to monitor and face future infectious outbreaks. The conference will present examples of ongoing projects from all types of countries worldwide
Researchers, officials, stakeholders, European & international civil servants, specialists.
SESSION 1 (morning) – 9 AM to 12:30 PM
Wastewater-Based Epidemiology – scientific approaches and proof of concept
Topic 1: WBE for pathogens monitoring
Topic 2: How to match signals from wastewater with real incidence? How to integrate multisource data?
Topic 3: How to implement WBE in countries with precarious sanitation systems
Session 2 (afternoon) - 2 PM - 5 PM
Wastewater-Based Epidemiology – from research to policy
Panel 1: Wastewater-based epidemiology as a tool among other monitoring tools? Ambitions and limits – national experiences
Panel 2: Wastewater-based monitoring: ethical & legal considerations
Panel 3: From science to policy decision-making: How to design a sustainable wastewater-based epidemiology monitoring system - Ambitions and limits