The Cambridge-based biotech company that has been monitoring COVID-19 wastewater levels in the Boston-area will now start to track norovirus in sewage to help communities respond to outbreaks, the firm announced on Wednesday.

Local communities throughout the COVID pandemic have closely followed the virus wastewater data, which has helped predict coronavirus waves.

By now monitoring wastewater for norovirus, Biobot Analytics said the company can provide key information about disease levels and trends, so communities can quickly respond to mitigate outbreaks.

Norovirus cases are at an all time high. As the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., the highly contagious stomach bug costs the economy about $2 billion annually in lost productivity and healthcare expenses. About 20 million people are sickened each year.

Norovirus cases at the state and local level aren’t reported to the CDC, resulting in larger data gaps when compared to other illnesses, such as COVID.

“Norovirus rates continue to be at a yearly high across the country,” said Mariana Matus, CEO of Biobot Analytics. “Wastewater monitoring provides equitable and inclusive data that can help public health officials prepare and respond more effectively to outbreaks.

“Currently, the CDC doesn’t require norovirus case reporting, so we are relying on a subset of voluntarily provided data, resulting in larger knowledge gaps about levels of disease than with other pathogens,” Matus added. “By monitoring wastewater for norovirus, we can begin to fill in these gaps and provide important information about disease levels and trends, so communities can make informed public health decisions.”

Norovirus is shed in both stool and vomit, easily entering the wastewater system. The stomach bug is a frequent cause of outbreaks in community settings such as schools and universities, day cares, long-term care facilities and more.

Over recent years, wastewater monitoring has become an increasingly valuable tool for monitoring the spread of infectious diseases within populations, as well as for detecting the use of high-risk substances such as opioids.

Norovirus joins Biobot’s national network monitoring for COVID and mpox virus, as well as high-risk substances like fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and nicotine.

With sampling sites in hundreds of locations across the country, Biobot’s norovirus monitoring will be available to existing customers through an early access program next month, before rolling it out to new customers.