Enteric virus contamination of shellfish: intervention strategies

摘要

Enteric viruses, such as hepatitis A, Norwalk-like caliciviruses, rotaviruses, and astroviruses, are responsible for outbreaks of food-borne illness. There are an estimated 9.2 million cases of food-borne Norwalk-like illness in the United States each year. The portion of those cases associated with shellfish is uncertain; however, shellfish are a major vector of human caliciviruses. In addition to the classical viral illnesses transmitted by shellfish, hepatitis E may become a potential threat to the shellfish consumer, particularly in Asian countries. Intervention strategies to enhance product safety include increased industry and consumer education; changes in harvesting and water monitoring practices, product management, and processing technologies; immunizations; and the development of improved detection methods.