A new analysis has found that the highly contagious UK variant is rapidly spreading to Houston, Texas.
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 in samples collected Feb. 22.
It is 47 percent higher than the number of plants that the strain was detected just two weeks earlier.
The analysis was conducted just a week before Gov. Greg Abbott’s order that the state would end the mask’s term and allow companies to reopen completely in Texas on March 10th.
“The prevalence of the UK variant in our wastewater shows that it is actively spreading in our city,” Dr David Persse, chief physician in the city of Houston, said in a statement.
“This is another clear indication that we should continue to mask ourselves, practice social distancing, wash our hands, test ourselves, and vaccinate ourselves whenever possible.”
A new analysis on 22 February found traces of the highly contagious British variant in 79% of Houston’s wastewater treatment plants, ie 31 out of 39. This represents an increase from 8 February. , when the variant was found in samples of 21 plants. approximately 47%
Of the sewer samples tested in the latest analyzes, approximately one-fifth had the variant, known as B.1.1.7. Pictured: Aerial view of a water treatment facility in South Texas, south of Houston.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 101 cases of the UK variant are found in Texas. Of these cases, at least 23 preprint papers are found in Houston
Wastewater analysis (toilet water traveling through a drainage system to a treatment facility) has been used for years to track various public health problems.
Currently, wastewater monitoring is used in several countries to control the circulation of poliovirus, including Israel and India. It has also been used in several cities in Europe to track the spread of opioids.
Researchers have found that infected people release viruses or viral genetic material into their urine and feces.
Scientists believe this surveillance system could provide a better estimate of how far the disease extends, as it would include people who have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
In fact, the virus can be detected in feces within three days of someone becoming infected, which is before most people show symptoms.
The Houston Department of Health and Houston Water began testing the city’s wastewater in May 2020 to better identify outbreaks.
The analysis was conducted on February 22, when officials collected wastewater samples from the city’s 39 plants.
The results showed that samples from 31 of the plants had remnants of B.1.1.7., Indicating their presence in 79% of the facilities.
This is an increase in the analysis conducted two weeks earlier, on February 8, which found the variant in samples from 21 of the treatment plants, approximately 47 percent.
Of the wastewater samples collected on February 22, about 19 percent detected the UK variant.
“I am concerned about this new data on the strain of the UK virus in Houston, especially at a time when the state of Texas is reducing mandates on proven measures to reduce transmission and ultimately save lives,” he said. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner in a statement. .
This in reference to the coronavirus restrictions that were relaxed in Texas under Greg Abbott from Wednesday.
Coronavirus can be detected in feces within three days of someone’s infection, which is before most people show symptoms, as B.1.1.7 continues to spread across the United States.
Tuner continued, “Despite mixed messaging, this is a clear indication that it is too early to stop requiring masks in public places. I urge all Houstonians to continue masking to protect their families and community.
The Houston Department of Health is currently testing wastewater samples for follow-up. other highly transmissible variants.
Among these are variants from South Africa, Brazil and California, but the results are still pending.
Last week, a pre-printed study by Houston Methodist found cases of all variants, including the UK, South Africa, Brazil, New York and California, in the city, the first to do so.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 101 cases of the UK variant are found in Texas. Of those cases, the document that is at least 23 is in Houston.
