Overview

• H5N1 virus was detected in the wastewater of 10 Texas cities between March 4 and July 15, 2024, using virome sequencing.
• The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed the virus in 100 out of 399 samples from 22 of 23 sites.
• Despite the widespread detection in wastewater, there was no correlation with influenza-related hospitalizations, indicating low public health risk.
• Researchers suggest the virus likely originated from animal sources, emphasizing the need for continued surveillance to monitor potential human adaptation.
• The Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI) has been using wastewater monitoring since May 2022 to track over 400 human and animal viruses.