The highly contagious British variant is spreading rapidly in Houston, Texas, a new analysis has found.
On Monday, the Houston Department of Health revealed that the variant, known as B.1.1.7, was found in more than three-quarters of the city’s wastewater treatment plants in samples collected on Feb. 22.
This is 47 percent higher than the number of plants that the stem had detected just two weeks earlier.
The analysis was done just a week before Governor Greg Abbott’s order that the state end the mask mandate and reopen it in Texas on March 10.
“The presence of the British variant in our wastewater shows that it is actively spreading in our city,” said Dr David Persse, chief medical officer of the city of Houston, in a statement.
“This is another clear indication that we must continue to mask, distance ourselves from society, wash our hands, be tested and, if possible, be vaccinated.”
In a new analysis on 22 February, traces of the highly contagious British variant were found in 79% of Houston’s wastewater treatment plants, or 31 out of 39. This is an increase from 8 February, when the variant was found in samples from 21 of the plants. is. about 47%
Of the sewage samples tested in the latest analysis, about one-fifth have the variant known as B.1.1.7. Pictured: aerial photo of a water treatment plant in the South Texas area just south of Houston.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 101 cases of the British variant are in Texas. Of these cases, one preprinted paper found at least 23 in Houston
Wastewater analysis – toilet water that leads through a drainage system to a treatment center – has been used for years to detect a number of public health issues.
Sewage monitoring is currently used in several countries to monitor poliovirus circulation, including Israel and India. It is also used in several cities in Europe to detect the distribution of opioids.
Researchers have found that infected people shed viruses, or viral genetic material, in their urine and feces.
Scientists believe that this surveillance system can give a better estimate of how far the disease has spread, as it will include people who have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
In fact, the virus can be detected in feces within three days of being infected, which is before most people show symptoms.
The Department of Health in Houston and Houston Water began testing the city’s wastewater in May 2020 to better identify outbreaks.
The analysis was done on February 22 when officials collected wastewater samples from the 39 plants in the city.
The results showed that samples from 31 of the plants showed traces of B.1.1.7. Had, indicating that it occurs at 79 percent of the facilities.
This is an increase compared to the analysis carried out two weeks earlier, on 8 February, in which the variant was found in samples from 21 of the treatment plants, about 47 percent.
Of the wastewater samples collected on 22 February, the British variant found about 19.
“I am concerned about this new data on the British strain of the virus in Houston, especially at a time when the state of Texas is easing the mandate on measures that are proven to reduce transmission and ultimately save lives,” Sylvester Turner said. , mayor of Houston, said in a statement. .
That, with reference to coronavirus restrictions starting in Texas under Greg Abbott’s command, begins Wednesday.
Coronavirus can be detected in feces within three days of being infected, that is, before most people show symptoms, as B.1.1.7 is still spreading in the US.
Tuner continues: ‘Despite mixed messages, it’s a clear indication that it’s too soon to stop needing masks in public places. I urge all Houstoniers to continue to protect their families and community. ‘
The Houston Department of Health is currently testing wastewater samples in an effort to detect other highly transferable variants.
These include variants from South Africa, Brazil and California, but the results are not yet available.
Last week, a pre-print study by Houston Methodist found cases of every variant, including the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, New York and California, in the city – the first in the country to do so.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 101 cases of the British variant are in Texas. Of these cases, the article found at least 23 in Houston.
