Wastewater-based epidemiology in One Health is used by...

• A. Analyzing wastewater to monitor pathogens, resistance genes, and biomarkers to infer community health across humans and animals.
• B. Measuring rainfall to predict floods.
• C. Assessing poultry feed quality.
• D. Tracking individual patient data in clinics.

Answer: (A)

Wastewater-based epidemiology uses wastewater as a pooled sample from a community to detect signals of health and disease, such as pathogens, antimicrobial resistance genes, and biomarkers. In One Health, this approach brings together human, animal, and environmental health by analyzing sewage that reflects inputs from people and animals alike, providing a community-level snapshot without testing individuals. By examining these signals, we can monitor the spread of infections, track the circulation of resistance genes, and gauge population-level exposures or disease burden. This enables early warning and trend monitoring that can inform actions across multiple sectors. The other options describe rainfall measurement, feed quality assessment, or tracking individual patient data, which do not capture the broad, cross-species surveillance that wastewater analysis provides.