Management of health risks associated with oysters harvested from a norovirus contaminated area, Ireland, February-March 2010

Abstract

Oysters from a harvesting area responsible for out-breaks of gastroenteritis were relaid at a clean sea-water site and subsequently depurated in tanks of purified seawater at elevated temperatures. This combined treatment reduced norovirus levels to those detected prior to the outbreak. On the basis of noro-virus monitoring the sale of treated oysters was permitted although the harvest area remained closed for direct sale of oysters. No reports of illness have been associated with the consumption of treated oysters.