Abu Dhabi has employed an innovative approach to detect and contain the spread of monkeypox, utilizing wastewater samples from airplanes to identify potential cases.

Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Managing Director and Group CEO of M42 and Chairman of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, revealed the strategy during a media roundtable on Tuesday, held on the second day of Arab Health.

“By collecting wastewater from airplanes, we are now identifying monkeypox,” said Al Nowais. “It helped us identify where these fliers were coming from and manage the situation better.”

Monkeypox, a zoonotic disease that causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, and a rash, has been spreading globally since 2022.

The disease is typically transmitted through contact with infected animals or humans. With the ongoing outbreak, authorities in Abu Dhabi have ramped up their efforts to monitor and control the virus’s spread, using wastewater from incoming flights as a key tool.

Al Nowais highlighted that the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic played a crucial role in shaping Abu Dhabi’s response to monkeypox.

“Through the wastewater program, we were testing sewer water, and through the urine samples we collected, we knew where COVID was being spread,” he said.

“Once we saw the markers increasing in the Musaffah area, we locked it down. No one was allowed to leave or come in, and we started clustering Abu Dhabi. That’s what made spread rates in Abu Dhabi very low.”

This proactive monitoring system is part of Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to stay ahead of potential health threats. Dr. Laila Abdel Wareth, CEO of Diagnostics at M42, explained that Abu Dhabi’s surveillance program includes continuous testing of sewage water for pathogens.

“We have an environmental sciences lab, which is a very powerful lab,” said Dr. Abdel Wareth. “In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi political council, we are surveying sewage water for all of these pathogens to ensure we don’t get pockets where these organisms are growing.”

This cutting-edge laboratory is equipped with the latest tools to detect various infectious diseases. The regular surveillance program also focuses on respiratory viruses, working in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr. Abdel Wareth emphasized that the surveillance not only monitors known viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 but also helps identify emerging pathogens.

“We sample people who develop respiratory symptoms to check for various strains, including swine flu or H1N1, and look out for any new viruses,” she added. “This is part of the WHO surveillance program, which we conduct regularly across the field.”

The collaboration between the health sector and governmental bodies in Abu Dhabi underscores the city’s commitment to public health and disease prevention.

By using data from wastewater and urine samples, the authorities are able to track and manage the spread of potentially dangerous diseases before they become widespread.

Abu Dhabi’s swift response to monkeypox, coupled with its ongoing vigilance, serves as a model for other regions seeking to safeguard public health in the face of emerging infectious threats.

With continued surveillance and a proactive strategy, the city is well-positioned to prevent the further spread of monkeypox and other pathogens.