Wastewater Insights for Illinois: Infectious Disease Monitoring for Public Health

Wastewater surveillance involves studying sewage to learn about community health. In May 2021, IDPH enlisted the help of DPI to launch a statewide monitoring program for COVID-19. Wastewater treatment plants from across the state have volunteered to participate in the program, submitting samples twice weekly to monitor COVID-19 trends. Since its launch, the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System (IWSS) has expanded to include additional respiratory viruses of concern to the public, such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Samples are processed and analyzed at the University of Illinois Chicago and then sent to Argonne National Laboratory for genetic sequencing and analysis to identify variants. Results are shared with public health decision-makers, wastewater plant operators and the public through a variety of mechanisms (including this dashboard). DPI and Northwestern University are partnering to interpret and present the data in visual ways.