The CDC Gets Genomic with Travelers: More Than Just COVID-19
Expansion of CDC airport screening to include detection of flu and RSV in addition to COVID
CDC expands airport COVID screening to include flu and RSV detection.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has leveled up their game with the expansion of their Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance (TGS) program. Now, in addition to COVID-19, they will be monitoring for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and a whole raft of other respiratory viruses. It’s like the CDC has become the Sherlock Holmes of the disease detectives!
According to a report from Passenger Terminal Today, the CDC has teamed up with Ginkgo Bioworks and XWELL to pilot this expanded program over the next few months. They will be on the lookout for over 30 viruses, bacteria, and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. It’s like they’ve assembled a dream team of microbial superheroes!
So how does this TGS program work? Well, it all started at four major international airports – New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington D.C. It’s like they put up their own microbial surveillance towers!
Dr. Cindy Friedman, chief of CDC’s Travelers’ Health Branch, explains the importance of this expanded surveillance, especially with the upcoming fall respiratory season. She says, “The TGS program was a hero during the Covid-19 pandemic, detecting new and rare variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. And now, it will do the same for other respiratory viruses.” It’s like TGS is the watchful protector of our respiratory health!
But how do they gather all this juicy genomic information? Well, they’ve got three tricks up their sleeves. First, they perform voluntary nasal swabs on arriving international travelers. It’s like taking a small sample of travelers’ nasal treasures. Second, they collect samples from wastewater. It’s like they’re sifting through the microbial soup to find the culprit. And lastly, they even collect air samples from aircraft cabins. It’s like they’ve become the air traffic controllers of the microscopic world!
The success of TGS cannot be overstated. Since its launch in 2021, over 360,000 air travelers from more than 135 countries have voluntarily participated in this program. Talk about a global microbial extravaganza!
So buckle up, folks, because the CDC is on a mission to sniff out these respiratory villains. With their expanded TGS program and their epic partnerships, they’re ready to protect our health on a genomic level. It’s like they’ve unleashed their inner Avengers of public health!
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Andrea Piacquadio; Thank you!
