European experience in the development of national wastewater-based epidemiology systems. Part 1: Essence, evolution, and key features (analytical review)

Monitoring viral circulation is an important part of the public health framework in developed countries, which in recent years have been actively implementing modern, innovative approaches and methods for monitoring biological risks. Systems developed in European countries based on wastewater-based epidemiology methodology ensure the early detection of new and re-emerging infections at the population level, helping to prevent the threat of infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics, and to contain and reduce biological risks to public health down to acceptable levels. The purpose of this study is to provide an in-depth analysis of the experience and tools used by European countries (Germany, France, Italy, and Ireland) in the development and operation of their national wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) systems. The study materials included scientific report and policy documents from Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, and the European Union on wastewater epidemiology. Sources were selected based on criteria of thematic relevance, semantic and functional significance, and relevance of scientific reports and regulatory documents. A search for literary sources and documents was conducted in the following databases: eLibrary and CyberLeninka in Russian; Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochran Library in English, German, and French; and national government and parliamentary databases of the aforementioned countries. The main research methods include content analysis, material systematization, retrospective analysis (evolution of the method), a systems approach (to studying monitoring networks), comparative analysis (of electronic health systems), and generalization (of experience).

Part 1 of the analytical review presents the evolution of the global application of the WBE principle. The essence and content of the WBE mechanism are revealed, and its key processes are highlighted. The primary focus in Europe is on the creation of national and joint WBE systems, united within the European Union, with a focus on the implementation of modern information and telecommunications technologies and artificial intelligence. The experience of France (the OBÉPINE project) is examined. Part 2 examines WBE systems operating in Europe, created under national projects: AMELAG (Germany), SARI (Italy), and NWSP (Ireland). A comparative analysis of the systems allowed identifying their common features, characteristics, and development directions of interest to relevant specialists in the Russian Federation.

Conclusion. European WBE systems, built on modern technologies, make a significant contribution to the functioning of national biological risk monitoring systems, enabling prognostic assessment of the status of cohorts and the population as a whole, identifying not only specific pathogens or hazardous substances but also determining the population’s health status. The WBE mechanism is being actively implemented in radiation, chemical, and biological risk monitoring systems in European countries. Today, the creation of a similar modern WBE mechanism in Russia, integrated into the radiation, chemical, and biological risk monitoring system, is highly desirable and necessary.

Contributions:
Melnikov O.A. – concept and design of the study, search, collection, analysis, evaluation, systematization, generalization and interpretation of data, preparation of illustrative material and draft of the manuscript;
Zhernov Yu.V. – collection, systematization, generalization and interpretation of data, editing;
Bolekhan V.N. – scientific and methodological support, editing;
Kraevoy S.A. – organizational and methodological support, editing;
Yudin S.M. – concept, approval of the final version.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: April 16, 2026 / Accepted: July 1, 2026 / Published: August 14, 2026

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