NEW STUDY WILL EXPLORE WASTEWATER TO DETECT DISEASE OUTBREAKS BEFORE THEY SPREAD IN THE COMMUNITY

The initiative is part of the WWOneMoz project

A new research project implemented by CISM, with funding from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, aims to strengthen infectious disease surveillance in Mozambique through the analysis of wastewater and the application of the integrated One Health approach, which links human, animal, and environmental health.

The project, titled WWOneMoz – Metagenomic Surveillance of Infectious Agents and Antimicrobial Resistance Based on Wastewater, will be implemented in the district of Manhiça (Maputo Province) and in the city of Quelimane (Zambézia Province). The project is led by CISM researcher Filomena Manjate, who proposes the use of wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor pathogens circulating in communities. This approach involves the analysis of wastewater from septic systems, making it possible to identify microorganisms present in the population. This methodology can complement traditional epidemiological surveillance systems and serve as an early warning system for disease outbreaks.

Globally, infectious diseases continue to pose a major public health challenge, accounting for approximately 15 million deaths each year, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Factors contributing to the emergence and spread of these diseases include rapid urbanization, climate change, population growth, and increasing antimicrobial resistance.

In the district of Manhiça, samples will be collected from household wastewater and from the District Hospital, as well as from the feces of domestic animals and animals living close to households, such as rats and bats. In the city of Quelimane, initial analyses will be conducted using wastewater from the Central Hospital and from selected households located in its vicinity.

The samples will be analyzed to identify various pathogens using advanced laboratory techniques, including real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and metagenomic sequencing. These methodologies will enable the characterization of microbial diversity and the detection of genes associated with antimicrobial resistance. In addition to laboratory analyses, the study will collect sociodemographic data and household-level information to better understand risk factors associated with disease transmission.

The results generated through this project are expected to contribute to a better understanding of pathogen transmission networks and support the development of an integrated disease surveillance platform in Mozambique. This initiative has the potential to strengthen prevention, outbreak response, and evidence-based public health decision-making.