Research indicates that wastewater analysis is an early detection tool for disease outbreaks. Measles wastewater testing played a key role during the 2025 New Mexico outbreak. Wastewater testing detected the virus before hospitals confirmed cases.
Because wastewater testing enabled the detection of the virus before hospital confirmation, health officials had time to procure vaccines. In addition, they could alert healthcare providers and respond quickly to an outbreak.
For example, although there were no reports of measles in Sandoval County, a recent wastewater sample tested positive for measles. Officials reported a positive test five days before they identified infections.
Wastewater surveillance helped identify where measles had spread. It allowed public health officials to prepare for cases 5 days before someone had clinical evidence of measles. Health teams prepared vaccines in advance thanks to the early warning.
The case studies also showed that wastewater testing can be used to monitor other infectious diseases simultaneously. In addition, the program is scalable and serves as a model for similar public health supervision programs throughout the United States.
Experts described wastewater testing as an incredible new tool.
The successes in New Mexico demonstrate that wastewater surveillance is a critical component of public health programs nationwide. The wastewater forecasting system enables health departments in communities across the country to implement quicker, more proactive measures to monitor and manage infectious disease outbreaks.