Wastewater Surveillance and Viral Epidemiology in Nigeria: The Nexus in Global Pandemic Plannings
Epidemiological study into wastewater microflora to efficiently map the pathogenic bio-community of our immediate environment is essential to curb the transmission of infectious diseases. Anthropogenic activities and open defaecation results in the blossoming of bacteria and viruses in water bodies and when such polluted water makes contact with humans through direct or indirect means, disease outbreaks may occur. Developing countries are at the front line of these adverse impacts as they lack access to potable water and good healthcare. A review of country water and wastewater indicators as well as treatment protocol is hereby advocated to provide real-time data to critical stakeholders for policy formulation and public health intervention via water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs. Also, environmental surveillance of bacteria and viruses from wastewater sources in communities are use to track disease transmission which often elude clinical diagnosis in asymptomatic individuals. Our research has improved community and national surveillance, awareness and preparedness for potential outbreaks of bacteria and viruses that have been classified as moderate to high water transmissible pathogens of public health significance by the World Health Organization. Additionally, with the enormous microbial diversities in water, novel bacterial have been harnessed such as bioflocculant in my reaserch group. Wastewater treatment techniques using readily available, affordable, accessible, and eco-friendly bioflocculants will enhance the flocculation process. Our research further look into the novel bioflocculants application for wastewater treatment and crystallize the novel products to an easily preservable form for industrial scale up and commercial availability. Other notable researches under investigations from my group in the field of virology includes haemorrhagic fever and Arboviruses. My works drew the attention of the Nigerian government to the presence of the Rift Valley fever virus in circulation by successfully identifying and characterizing this virus in a Nigerian community after 24 years it was first reported. Also, we identified other haemorrhagic fever viruses (Dengue fever virus, Chikungunya virus, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and yellow fever virus) in individuals that were being treated for malaria. This was significant as there was a need to look at other causes of febrile illness in Nigeria, especially with individuals presenting with persistent malaria in the community. Finally, our works center on the molecular epidemiology of transmitting prevalent viruses and how this impact on the selection of genes for vaccine design, construction and evaluation.
