Toronto Public Health is in the process of creating a wastewater monitoring initiative to identify potential disease transmission risks during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Dr. Michelle Murti, Toronto’s new Medical Officer of Health, revealed that the trial will involve gathering sewage samples from areas with high fan concentrations and testing them for various infections, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.
Dr. Murti mentioned that they are exploring the feasibility of monitoring other illnesses, such as measles, in wastewater due to the anticipated large international audience during the event. She emphasized that this additional data will complement existing health information to ensure the safety and well-being of attendees throughout the games.
With an estimated 300,000 out-of-town visitors expected in Toronto for six World Cup matches starting in June, the city is gearing up for the influx of people. The COVID-19 wastewater surveillance system in Ontario, which provided real-time tracking of virus prevalence before symptomatic cases emerged, concluded last year.
Dr. Fahad Razak, an internal medicine specialist at St. Michael’s Hospital, expressed support for extending the wastewater monitoring program beyond the pandemic era and applying it to major events like the World Cup. He highlighted the success of using similar surveillance methods in Windsor-Essex County to detect measles outbreaks earlier this year.
Dr. Razak suggested the potential for wastewater surveillance to also address opioid-related concerns during the World Cup, emphasizing the importance of leveraging such technology for life-saving interventions. Dr. Lawrence Goodridge, co-lead of the Guelph Wastewater Epidemiology Lab for Public Health, noted the shift towards smaller-scale programs following the discontinuation of the province-wide wastewater monitoring initiative, emphasizing the importance of this pilot program for detecting potential outbreaks during the games.
Toronto’s health authorities view this initiative as an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of wastewater surveillance for future large-scale gatherings in the city, recognizing both its benefits and limitations in containing and managing public health risks.