FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2024
New Updates to Wastewater Monitoring Dashboard
City of Milwaukee Health Department Adds Flu and RSV to Public Tracking
MILWAUKEE – The City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) has expanded its public wastewater dashboard to include influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), alongside COVID-19. Launched in January 2024, this dashboard tracks illness trends using wastewater data to help detect early signs of community spread—just in time for the holiday season when families and friends are gathering.
“By tracking RSV and flu alongside COVID-19, we’ve added another layer of protection for Milwaukee residents,” said Mike Totoraitis, PhD, MHD Commissioner of Health. “These updates provide timely data to help people protect themselves and their loved ones.”
The dashboard features:
- Trendlines showing changes in virus levels over time.
- Stoplight warning system (green, yellow, red) for quick updates on concern levels.
- Data from MMSD’s South Shore and Jones Island sampling sites.
“Expanding the dashboard to include RSV and influenza is an exciting step for our lab,” said David Payne, PhD, MHD Laboratory Director. “It highlights the power of wastewater testing and partnerships like ours with MMSD to advance public health.”
To view the wastewater dashboard, visit: milwaukee.gov/Wastewater.
Media Day Announcement:
Join MHD and MMSD for a behind-the-scenes look at how wastewater samples are collected, tested, and integrated into the dashboard. This news media-only event includes guided tours, live demonstrations, and interviews with key MHD laboratory and MMSD officials, who will explain the process and answer questions.
WHAT: Respiratory Illness Wastewater Dashboard Media Day
WHEN: Thursday, December 19
- 10:00 a.m. – Lab tour at MHD Laboratory (please arrive at the Zeidler Municipal Building lobby by 9:50 a.m. for check-in).
- 11:00 a.m. – Jones Island sample collection tour
WHERE:
- City of Milwaukee Health Department Laboratory
Zeidler Municipal Building
841 N. Broadway, 1st Floor Lobby (escorted to 2nd floor lab)
- Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
Jones Island Facility
700 E. Jones St., Milwaukee, WI
RSVP: Media members must RSVP to Caroline Reinwald at [email protected] to confirm attendance. Please arrive at the Zeidler Municipal Building lobby for check-in by 9:50 on Thursday. Attendees will drive themselves to Jones Island for the second part of the event.
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