Prevention of gastrointestinal & respiratory outbreak.

Untap Health monitored COVID-19, RSV, influenza, and norovirus at the West Hub on the University of Cambridge campus. During the winter term, our system detected early signs of multiple viral threats in wastewater, enabling the university to act before symptoms appeared. In response, Cambridge introduced enhanced cleaning protocols, launched an awareness campaign, and placed hand hygiene signage across campus, measures that helped significantly reduce the spread of illness.

Following this work, Untap Health co-authored a peer-reviewed paper with the University of Cambridge and Dr. Charlotte Hammer, Fellow in Epidemiology. The study highlights how near-source wastewater surveillance can support targeted, local infection prevention and control. It will be published in PLOS on 9 April 2025.

Untap Health monitored COVID-19, RSV, influenza, and norovirus at Ascot Residential Home. During the pilot, the management team explored how early-warning technology could strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC), particularly during periods of heightened risk when viruses can spread rapidly. With infections often difficult to predict, timely insight allowed for faster, more informed responses.

The team shared the following feedback:

“Having Untap Health’s advanced warning system in place gave us confidence when residents and staff were well, and strengthened our IPC measures in the event of a respiratory or gastroenteritis outbreak.”

Untap Health monitored COVID-19 at Makerversity, Somerset House, during a period of rising footfall and unpredictable infection risk. Before our involvement, the team had limited access to reliable data, relying on self-reported absences and local news to guide decisions. With real-time monitoring in place, Untap Health detected a spike in the BA.4/BA.5 SARS-CoV-2 variant, allowing Makerversity to respond quickly. The team updated cleaning schedules, reintroduced mask guidance, and shared timely updates with staff and visitors, measures that helped create a safer, more informed environment.

This pilot demonstrated the value of near-real-time public health data in a high-traffic cultural setting. It was later recognised by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), who published it as a Success Story.

Untap Health supported R&M Electrical Group in early 2022, when COVID-19 was causing widespread production delays. Despite daily lateral flow testing for staff, the virus continued to disrupt operations. Using on-site wastewater monitoring, Untap Health identified viral presence that testing had missed. The data revealed a key vulnerability: external visitors (auditors) were not subject to the same testing protocols.

With this insight, R&M introduced targeted measures for visitors, strengthening their infection control strategy and maintaining business continuity. This approach helped safeguard staff, reduce disruption, and keep production on track. 

Untap Health partnered with Te-Tech Process Solutions in late 2021 to help address absences caused by COVID-19. Following the onset of symptoms in one employee, several others quickly tested positive—demonstrating how rapidly infection could spread across the office. Using Untap Health’s early warning system, the virus was detected through wastewater monitoring, triggering a prompt recommendation for lateral flow testing.

This enabled the team to act swiftly, limiting further spread and reducing employee absence. By prioritising early intervention, Te-Tech maintained productivity and strengthened its internal health protocols.