Researchers have found that analyzing wastewater from aircraft toilets could become an effective tool for early detection of virus spread, according to infohub.kz.
An international team of scientists presented the results of a pilot project that analyzed wastewater from aircraft sanitation tanks on regular flights between the UK and the US. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, demonstrates that regular sampling from aircraft tanks is a highly accurate method for early detection of dangerous pathogens.
This approach allows tracking the movement of viruses across borders without the need for individual passenger testing or airport delays. During the study, researchers analyzed hundreds of samples and successfully detected genetic material from SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, and noroviruses.
Sampling showed high sensitivity. For instance, the XEC coronavirus variant was detected in waste from UK flights four weeks before it was recorded on US flights. Scientists hope that implementing such a system at major aviation hubs will become a reliable barrier against future epidemics.