Hamburg Involvement in Wastewater Surveillance: ESI-CorA Project Focuses on Wastewater Analysis
The city of Hamburg is participating in a nationwide pilot project called "ESI-CorA," aimed at monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 infection situation. Funded by the European Commission and coordinated by the federal ministries BMG, BMUV, and BMBF, this research initiative started in February 2022 and concluded at the end of January 2023.
The project involves collaboration between the Hamburg Authority for Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture (BUKEA), the health authority, Hamburg Wasser, and the Institute for Hygiene and the Environment. The wastewater samples are concentrated by the Institute for Hygiene and the Environment, and the genetic information in these concentrated samples is isolated.
A digital PCR analysis is then used to determine the strength of the SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the sample. This method, proven to be reliable and delivering meaningful results, allows for even viruses in very small quantities to be quantitatively detected.
The trend analyses from the wastewater monitoring will be integrated into the pandemic radar of the Robert Koch Institute. This integration provides additional information to the existing reporting system and helps detect changes in infection trends early.
Jens Kerstan and Melanie Schlotzhauer, in a summary of their statements, emphasised that wastewater monitoring is not only useful for the current corona situation but also serves as a proven tool for dealing with pandemics in the future.
Hamburg has applied for the "ESI-CorA" follow-up project until the end of April 2023. The federal ministry of health is planning to establish a permanent pandemic radar by 2024, and Hamburg is planning to apply for the new project "Amelag," which involves collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health, the RKI (Robert Koch Institute), the PEI (Paul-Ehrlich-Institut), and the BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices).
Wastewater monitoring helps assess the infection situation, and the results show realistic trend patterns, regardless of the populationβs testing behaviour. This makes wastewater monitoring an essential part of the ongoing efforts to combat the pandemic and prepare for future pandemics.
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