Fusion Genomics has opened "first-of-its-kind" automated infectious-disease surveillance facility at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Using Fusion’s DNA sequencing-based ONETest platform, the facility, Fusion said on January 10, will allow detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens in wastewater effluent from airplanes and terminal facilities.
The pilot project, which is supported in part by funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program, is being facilitated by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA.
“Wastewater surveillance offers a unique opportunity to understand potential pandemic threats and generate actionable public health information without having to inconvenience travellers by requesting swab samples,” said Mohammad Qadir, Fusion's president and chief scientific officer.
“This unique facility will, for the first time, provide the aviation industry with the tools to potentially support public health and safety by connecting airport wastewater surveillance with global surveillance data," Qadir added.
“Toronto Pearson is an international gateway where tens of millions of passengers from around the world cross paths every year,” said Dwayne MacIntosh, director of safety and security at the GTAA.
“We are committed to the health and safety of our passengers and airport staff, and we believe it is important to explore pilot studies, such as this one with Fusion Genomics, to understand how innovative and targeted studies with industry can support public health officials in making smarter, more timely decisions to protect our community from new disease threats," MacIntosh said.