Dutch scientist wins Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize for work on COVID-19 monitoring through wastewater

“SINGAPORE: At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Singapore began testing wastewater to trace the spread of the disease, mirroring efforts by other countries.
That such a method was even possible was due largely to the research done by a Dutch microbiologist, whose studies on wastewater revolutionised the way COVID-19 outbreaks were detected. For that, Professor Gertjan Medema was awarded this year’s Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, which honours individuals or organisations for their contributions towards solving the world’s water challenges. Research in the field of wastewater-based epidemiology by Prof Medema demonstrated that wastewater monitoring for traces of COVID-19 could serve as an early warning system for outbreaks, even before cases are reported in a community.
This allowed for public health interventions and policies that benefited millions of people worldwide. “This award is a recognition of the innovative use of wastewater as a data source for trends in COVID-19 circulation in our communities,” said Prof Medema, via a media release issued on Tuesday (Apr 16) by the organisers of Singapore International Water Week.”

(Citation: Dutch scientist wins Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize for work on COVID-19 monitoring through wastewater- www.chanelnewsasia.com (2024)16 April)