Monitoring viral contamination in shellfish growing areas

Type Book section
Date 2009-07
Language English
Author(s) Le Guyader Soizick1, Pommepuy Monique1, Atmar Robert2
Affiliation(s) 1 : Ifremer, France
2 : Baylor College of Medicine, USA
Book New technologies in aquaculture: Improving production efficiency, quality and environmental management
Note Woodhead Food Series No. 178 / ISBN 1 84569 384 1 Pages 542-579
Keyword(s) human enteric viruses, shellfish, sewage, persistence, flux
Abstract Human and animal fecal wastes and urine contain a large number of different viruses that can enter the environment through the discharge of waste materials from infected individuals. Despite the high diversity of viruses that are introduced into the environment by human fecal pollution, only a few have been recognized to cause disease in association with consumption of contaminated shellfish. Viruses are present in shellfish in very low numbers. Nevertheless, they are present in sufficient quantities to pose a health risk as presented. This low level of contamination has made it necessary to develop highly sensitive viral extraction methods to ensure virus recovery from shellfish tissues. The most common route for accidental contamination is after heavy rainfall, leading to overflow and release of untreated sewage into the aquatic environment. To limit shellfish contamination the most desirable and effective option is to reduce the viral input.
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Le Guyader Soizick, Pommepuy Monique, Atmar Robert (2009). Monitoring viral contamination in shellfish growing areas. In New technologies in aquaculture: Improving production efficiency, quality and environmental management (Edited by G Burnell, University College Cork, Ireland and G Allan, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Australia). https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00015/12606/