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Waterborne pathogen mitigation: Decoding techno-ecological synergies in multiscale transmission networks.
Miaomiao Teng1, Zheng-Yang Huo2,3, Zixuan Zhang1
1State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
Innovation (Cambridge (Mass.))
|March 6, 2026
Summary
This study explores pathogen transmission networks and risks from mutant viruses and resistant bacteria. It proposes advanced detection assays and decentralized disinfection for effective pathogen mitigation, especially considering climate change impacts.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pathogen transmission is a major global challenge, influenced by human behavior and environmental factors.
- Emerging risks include mutant viruses, resistant bacteria, and climate change impacts on pathogen prevalence.
- Current pathogen detection and disinfection methods have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate environmental pathogen transmission networks and associated risks.
- To evaluate current pathogen detection and disinfection strategies.
- To propose an integrated techno-ecological framework for pathogen mitigation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of pathogen transmission pathways and environmental influences.
- Review of existing pathogen detection techniques and their limitations.
- Assessment of centralized versus decentralized disinfection strategies.
- Exploration of data-driven technologies for intelligent detection and disinfection.
Main Results:
- Identified increasing risks from mutant viruses and resistant bacteria.
- Advocated for real-time, high-precision, point-of-need pathogen detection assays.
- Proposed decentralized, chemical-free disinfection as a multi-barrier protection strategy.
- Highlighted the potential of data-driven technologies (AI, machine learning) for guided disinfection.
Conclusions:
- An integrated techno-ecological framework combining robust ecosystems and multi-barrier disinfection is crucial for pathogen mitigation.
- Decentralized disinfection and advanced detection methods offer improved protection against waterborne pathogens.
- Climate change poses significant future risks requiring proactive pathogen management strategies.
Keywords:
data-driven pathogen controldecentralized disinfectionecological resilienceenvironmental pathogenreal-time detectionMore Related Videos
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