Knowledge to Action Series Cost Effectiveness Use Case: The Cost-Benefits of Wastewater Surveillance in Rural and Remote Communities 

Publication Summary

Rural and remote communities in Canada often face higher risks from infectious disease outbreaks due to limited access to timely testing and healthcare, multi-generational housing, and geographical isolation. Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) offers a community-wide, non-invasive solution to detect respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV early, helping local clinics act quickly and efficiently. This use case explains the usefulness of wastewater-based surveillance in the rural and remote Canadian context. This summarizes the findings reported in the literature and the case example from the WBS program of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay. Since its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been monitoring viral spread in the region with minimal lab capacity. Community-led and grounded in OCAP principles, the program enables early warnings, supports clinical response, and conserves healthcare resources by reducing the need for widespread individual testing.