Wastewater is now helping track measles spread around the US

(CNN) — As measles cases rise to precipitously high levels in the US this year, there’s a new tool to help track the spread: wastewater.

Wastewater surveillance rose to prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic, as testing sewage for virus particles helped provide early warning signs of increased transmission and fill the gaps as case reporting scaled back.

Now, WastewaterSCAN has developed the first national wastewater monitoring program to detect measles in places where people are infected with the virus. It has the potential to identify possible cases days before an individual shows symptoms or seeks care. The new tool is available for use in nearly 150 wastewater treatment facilities across 40 states.

At least 1,157 measles cases have been reported in the US this year, according to