CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou Utilities District is pleased to announce the continuation of its collaboration with Verily Life Sciences, a subcontractor for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Wastewater Surveillance System. This partnership involves bi-weekly wastewater testing to detect infectious diseases early. Under the current contract with VLS, over 140 samples have been collected by dedicated CUD team members and sent to for analysis. The CDC then uses this wastewater data to help anticipate health threats in our community.
Wastewater monitoring helps identify disease trends before they appear in clinical settings, allowing healthcare providers to prepare for potential increases in patient visits and hospitalizations. This method does not rely on individuals accessing healthcare or showing symptoms, providing a comprehensive view of community health. From sample collection to results, the process takes about five to seven days, offering quick insights into community health trends.
The CDC wastewater monitoring program is active in all fifty states, seven territories, and some tribal communities, benefiting any area with municipal wastewater systems. The system can swiftly adapt to monitor emerging health threats, enabling the CDC to respond effectively to infectious diseases like RSV, flu, monkeypox and COVID-19, among others. By studying pathogen genetics, wastewater monitoring can track changes in viruses and other health threats. Combining wastewater data with other public health information helps provide a complete picture of disease spread, enhancing response strategies.
Caribou Utilities remains committed to supporting wastewater monitoring to improve public health surveillance and protect our community. For more information, please contact Jonathan Helstrom, CUD general manager, or visit www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html.
