One Health Wastewater Surveillance of Viral Pathogens

Zoonotic viruses are the cause for major pandemics. An effective surveillance system would improve pandemic response preparedness. This project develops a comprehensive strategy for strengthening infectious disease monitoring and early warning capabilities. It implements machine learning in the design and identification of viral panels as well as the visualization of a viral WBE dashboard.

We aim to: (1) demonstrate One Health viral surveillance utilizing wastewater samples, (2) productize viral sequencing panels covering all viruses of zoonotic potential and viral pathogens, (3) commercialize ddPCR and corresponding UltraFast PCR-based assays, and (4) create a biobank of wastewater samples. It includes two major themes: (A) regular surveillance of high-risk areas, and (B) international surveillance of diseases at Umrah and Hajj.

The new assays and methods developed would enable the detection of a broad library of viruses for epidemic/pandemic monitoring and prevention. Implementing the integrated One Health surveillance would serve KSA and the world in the early detection of viral diseases emerging locally and globally.