I bet you thought it was safe to fly maskless over the holidays. Well think again, new research has shown that COVID has been found on 96% of flights tested. Scientists analyzed wastewater samples from 29 flight from Kuala Lumpur and found tests came back positive on 28 flights. Testing on the 29th sample was not yet been completed, per the laboratory. Samples were taken from June through December 2022 from International arriving flights. COVID was detected in 288 samples.
The aircraft sewage surveillance process involves systematic sampling and testing for untreated wastewater and sewer contamination. RNA fragments of the COVID virus are found in the feces of infected individual regardless of health status (symptomatic, asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic, recovered) and can be detected in sewage. This form of the virus is not infectious and can’t be transmitted via feces.
After this report, the CDC announced they intend to begin testing wastewater on incoming flights to check for new variants. They fear variants coming from China and yet they were oblivious as the Kraken emerged from New York State. Health officials in Australia and the United Kingdom announced similar plans.