Fiona Els presents Sewersheds Project at International Conference
Fiona Els recently presented her research at the 9th International Conference on Infectious Disease Dynamics held in Bologna, Italy from November 26 to December 1, 2023. Her research was a collaborative effort between the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO). The poster titled "Determining the impact of socio-economic conditions on SARS-CoV-2 burden of disease in Gauteng Province, South Africa using wastewater-based epidemiology" showcased her work on the Sewersheds project.
The Sewersheds project focuses on using wastewater analysis to detect traces of pathogens and other biomarkers, providing insights into the prevalence and spread of infectious diseases within specific geographic areas. By studying wastewater samples, researchers can gain a comprehensive understanding of community health in real-time, at a lower cost.
During her presentation at the conference, Fiona explained the methodology and initial findings of the Sewersheds project. The research involves analysing wastewater samples from different regions, known as sewersheds, to assess the overall health of the communities served by those sewage systems. Fiona's presentation emphasized the collaboration between NICD and GCRO, which has enabled a multidisciplinary approach combining epidemiological expertise with geographic insights.
The international conference provided an opportunity for Fiona to share her findings and engage with experts from around the world. During the event, she connected with professionals in related fields, fostering potential collaborations to further enhance the project. The exchange of ideas and insights has opened up new possibilities for building advanced spatial models that could refine the accuracy and scope of the research.
To read the abstract, please see:
