Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: A Complementary Approach to Future Pandemic Preparedness

Henkens, Niek (2025) Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: A Complementary Approach to Future Pandemic Preparedness. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

The increasing threat of a viral outbreak calls for adequate preparation of surveillance methods. Viral outbreaks with a similar scale to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have large social and economic effects. Although classical surveillance methods have contributed to viral monitoring, limitations like their inability to detect asymptomatic cases, high costs and its limited early-warning capacity highlight the need for complementary or alternative approaches to achieve a more comprehensive monitoring system for viral spread. This paper evaluates Wastewater Based Epidemiology (WBE) as a complement or alternative to classical surveillance and analyses its technical and conceptual limitations, drawing on case studies and molecular techniques such as quantitative PCR (qPCR). Based on this assessment, this paper suggests that WBE could be valuable in future viral monitoring systems due to its scalability, cost effectiveness, its ability to detect symptomatic and asymptomatic cases and its potential as an early warning system. Despite having some conceptual and technical limitations regarding privacy, infrastructure inequity, sampling challenges and RNA degradation, WBE presents a promising approach for enhancing future pandemic preparedness and public health surveillance.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Lequime, S.J.J.
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	01 Jul 2025 05:43
Last Modified:	01 Jul 2025 05:43
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/35599

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