Workshop Proposal: Wastewater Handling in Outbreak Response - Lessons and Research Needs from the 2014/15 Ebola Virus Outbreak

2014年3月，西非爆发了前所未有的埃博拉病毒病。为应对埃博拉病毒疫情，世界卫生组织和美国疾病控制中心都建议将受埃博拉病毒污染的液体废物直接排入污水系统（废水收集和处理系统）和厕所，而不进行消毒。在这一建议之后，提出了关于适当处理埃博拉病毒污染的液体废物的几个问题，包括埃博拉病毒的环境持久性，针对埃博拉病毒的消毒方法的有效性，以及埃博拉病毒在废水基础设施中构成的风险。鉴于疫情爆发后的不确定性和研究，首席研究员（PI）提议举办一次研讨会，总结有关埃博拉病毒在人类废物和环境中命运的知识状况。这一主题将扩展到其他新出现的致命病原体。本次研讨会的目的是总结当前的研究结果，比较使用埃博拉病毒替代物和埃博拉病毒的结果，并就疫情应对和研究需求的建议达成共识。研讨会拟在华盛顿，华盛顿特区举办，为期1.5天（暂定2月18日至19日）。研讨会将通过分享前沿研究，增进对埃博拉污染废水处理的理解。它还将为疫情应对中的废水处理提供信息。提议者完全有资格举办拟议的研讨会，因为每个人都有环境病毒持久性和量化方面的积极资助项目，包括埃博拉病毒的持久性。该研讨会与参与埃博拉研究的国土安全部调查人员协调，调查人员进行的研究结果将进行比较。拟议项目将促进讲习班参与者的教学、培训和学习。讲习班规划者的目标是邀请一小组博士后学者和研究生加强参与和培训。拟议的讲习班将通过在讲习班参与者和讨论领导人中实现性别平衡，扩大参与并融合多样性。该项目的成果将在同行审查的文献和讲习班最后报告中传播。最终，该研讨会将通过在疫情应对中更知情的废水处理来改善公共卫生。

1612429BibbyIn March 2014, an unprecedented outbreak of Ebola virus disease began in Western Africa. In response to the Ebola virus epidemic, both the World Health Organization and the United States Centers for Disease Control advised direct disposal of Ebola-contaminated liquid waste into sewage systems (wastewater collection and treatment systems) and latrines without disinfection. In the wake of this recommendation, several questions were raised regarding appropriate handling of Ebola virus contaminated liquid waste, including the environmental persistence of Ebola virus, efficacy of disinfection approaches against Ebola virus, and risks posed by Ebola virus within wastewater infrastructure. In light of the uncertainty and research following this outbreak, the principal investigator (PI) proposes a workshop to summarize the state of knowledge on Ebola fate in human waste and the environment. This topic will be extended to other emerging deadly pathogens. The goal of this workshop is to summarize current research findings, compare results utilizing Ebola virus surrogates and the Ebola virus, and move towards a consensus on recommendations for outbreak response and research needs. The workshop is proposed to be 1.5 days (tentatively February 18-19) in the Washington, D.C. region.The proposed workshop will advance understanding in the handling of Ebola contaminated wastewater by sharing cutting edge research. It will also inform wastewater handling in outbreak response. The proposers are well-qualified to conduct the proposed workshop as each have active funded projects in environmental viral persistence and quantification, including Ebola virus persistence. The workshop is coordinated with Homeland Security investigators who are involved in Ebola studies, and the results of the studies conducted by the investigators will be compared. The proposed project will promote teaching, training, and learning for workshop participants. It is the goal of the workshop planners to invite a small group of postdoctoral scholars and graduate students to enhance participation and training. The proposed workshop will broaden participation and integrate diversity through targeting gender balance in workshop participants and discussion leaders. The results from this project will be disseminated in the peer-reviewed literature and a final workshop report. Ultimately, this workshop will lead to improved public health through better-informed wastewater handling in outbreak response.