"We shape tools; tools shape us." ( Marshall McLuhan , 1911 - 1980 )
Open Data Insight of the Day
Data Insights are generated from a wide range of open-data sources—on daily, monthly, and yearly schedules, or whenever predefined conditions are met (for example, pollutant limits exceeded or values rising above the historical 95th percentile). Register as a user or Login to subscribe to your preferred insights and receive notifications by mail so you never miss a noteworthy change. If you are not registered, you can still explore all published insights on this site via Explore published insights.Previous Next
Wastewater Monitoring Results for 2026-03-01
Published: March 3, 2026 · Period: 2026-03-01Wastewater monitoring offers an early indicator of community respiratory virus spread by detecting viral genetic material, even when clinical testing is limited. Current data shows moderate RSV circulation, while influenza viruses were not detected, helping public health officials track trends and contextualize activity against historical levels.
Wastewater monitoring provides an early signal of respiratory virus activity in the community. When people are infected, they shed viral genetic material in their feces and urine. This means wastewater can show trends in infections even when clinical testing is low. This surveillance helps public health officials track the spread of viruses and prepare for potential impacts.
The most recent measurement shows a concentration of 48,000 RNA gene copies per liter for RSV. Influenza A and Influenza B were not detected. Over the past 30 days, RSV levels have been variable. Compared to year-to-date and historical data, the current RSV concentration is moderate. These levels indicate community circulation but do not reflect individual disease severity.
Two tables help interpret the data. Table 1 summarizes the combined viral activity over the last seven days, showing current conditions. Table 2 lists the annual historical peak concentrations for each virus, providing long-term context. This helps show whether current levels are unusually high or within expected ranges.
A short glossary explains key terms. RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, is a common virus that causes cold-like symptoms and can be serious for infants and older adults. Influenza A and Influenza B are viruses that cause seasonal flu. RNA is the genetic material of these viruses that is measured. PCR is a laboratory method used to detect and quantify this RNA.
Table 1: Latest Influenza A, Influenza B, and RSV Levels in Wastewater (last7 Days)
| Date | Influenza A (gc/L) | Influenza B (gc/L) | RSV (gc/L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-01 | 0 | 0 | 19,200 |
| 2026-02-28 | 0 | 0 | 19,200 |
| 2026-02-26 | 0 | 488,000 | 30,800 |
| 2026-02-24 | 0 | 40 | 15,840 |
| 2026-02-23 | 0 | 40 | 15,840 |
| 2026-02-22 | 22,360 | 0 | 10,440 |
| 2026-02-21 | 22,360 | 0 | 10,440 |
Table 2: Highest Yearly Influenza and RSV Levels Detected in Wastewater by Year (as of 2026-03-01)
| year | Date | Influenza A (gc/L) | Influenza B (gc/L) | RSV (gc/L) | Total (gc/L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026-02-26 | 0 | 488000 | 30800 | 518800 |
| 2025 | 2025-12-06 | 456000 | 0 | 44400 | 500400 |
| 2024 | 2024-10-01 | 0 | 0 | 219200 | 219200 |
| 2023 | 2023-12-07 | 50800 | 1008 | 828000 | 879808 |
| 2022 | 2022-12-01 | 263200 | 77200 | 1052000 | 1392400 |
| 2021 | 2021-11-21 | 0 | 0 | 66400 | 66400 |
Additional resources: Infectious Diseases Dashboard (IDD), OGD-BS Dashboard: Virenmonitoring im Abwasser
🤖 This text was generated with the assistance of AI. All quantitative statements are derived directly from the dataset listed under Data Source.