Environmental Persistence and Disinfection of the Lassa Virus and SARS-CoV-2 to Protect Worker and Public Safety

The Ebola virus epidemic of 2014-15 revealed significant shortcomings in the wastewater sector regarding response to highly infectious disease outbreaks. The overarching goal of this research was to help prepare the wastewater industry for future epidemic or pandemic outbreaks of highly infectious virus. Specifically, the research team assessed the persistence and disinfection of highly pathogenic emerging viruses on the World Health Organization’s watch list: LASV and SARS-CoV-2, the latter being the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The outcomes of this study look to improve wastewater industry outbreak preparedness and provide detailed guidance on appropriate wastewater management and disinfection practices. In addition to viral exposure and persistence work with LASV, this research effort also resulted in the development of a quantitative exposure model for worker safety and viral release that may be used by wastewater authorities in the event of a virus outbreak to respond in a timely manner to questions regarding worker and public safety. Published in 2024.