Water-monitoring detection system for the presence of infectious disease

ENTRY DATE: 15.11.2013 | LAST UPDATE: 15.11.2013

CATEGORIES:

  • Water Resources
  • Health and hygiene

TECHNOLOGIES MATURITY:

Currently at research stage

Technology Owners:

Tohoku University

Needs Address

The need to reduce health impacts (such as from infectious diseases) of deteriorating quality of public waters as a result of climate change, in areas that may face declining sanitation conditions. Particularly applicable in response to the need to mitigate impacts in regions where water pollution is occurring due to urban population growth associated with economic growth, or due to rapid industrial development. 

Adaptation effects

Prevention of deterioration of sanitation conditions and reduction of risk of disease due to climate change, etc. 

Overview and Features

Technology for rapid, accurate, robust detection of pathogenic microbes in wastewater.

The aim of this technology is to be able to notify the public promptly in the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease, by continuous monitoring of urban wastewater. This technology is expected to significantly limit the spread of infectious disease by making it more possible to take preventive measures before a disease spreads.

Cost

Not yet defined. (Currently at the research stage.) 

Ease of maintenance

Currently at the research stage

Technology performance

Typically, a number of weeks are required to detect an outbreak, as it takes time to ascertain the reported number of cases of infection of a disease. But by using water monitoring, this early detection system for infectious diseases makes it possible to detect an outbreak within 24 hours. 

Considerations

  • Behavior of pathogenic microbes should be studied through detailed, comprehensive monitoring.
  • Requires understanding of quantitative relationship between microbial concentration and number of people infected, and requires decision on threshold concentration levels that signify the onset of an outbreak. 
  • Requires technology that can rapidly and accurately detect and quantify presence of pathogenic microbes. 

Co-benefit, suitability for developing countries

Prevent the spread of infectious diseases

Information Resources

CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency

Research topic: "Innovative Technologies and Systems to Achieve Sustainable Water Use"

http://www.water.jst.go.jp/en/index.html