Norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide, and is commonly associated with shellfish. Between 2001-2010 seventeen Australian cases of suspected shellfish related NoV outbreaks were reported in OzFoodNet (Knope, 2011). More recently (March 2013) 400 people were reportedly affected by NoV following consumption of contaminated oysters from Tasmania.
Virus contamination in food poses major concerns for consumers and can impact export trade. The WHO/FAO working group (2008) on food-borne viruses, and European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) opinion (2011) ranked bivalves among the highest risk food groups in terms of NoV and hepatitis A virus (HAV). In 2011 the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene ratified a draft guideline on viruses in foods, with a specific annex on bivalves. It recommends that countries monitor for NoV and HAV in bivalves following high risk pollution events. Additionally, in early 2012 EFSA recommended the introduction of an acceptable NoV limit in oysters and the EU Community Reference Laboratory (2012) recommended an ‘absence’ criterion be applied for HAV in bivalves. Because of these impending international regulations (noting that some importing nations already require NoV testing), the Australian oyster industry members have indicated that they would like a more comprehensive evaluation of the prevalence of viruses in Australian oysters. There is little information on the baseline levels of NoV in Australian oysters. Although, a small pilot survey in oysters was conducted in production areas, more information is needed.
Recent developments made at SARDI in the use of molecular biology techniques for virus detection in foods would enable the occurrence of these viruses in bivalves to be determined through a virus prevalence survey. Similar surveys have been undertaken worldwide, including in the USA, UK, France and China, and might contribute to the development of market access strategies at the international level.
Project number:
2013-234
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$260,800.00
Principal Investigator:
Valeria Torok
Organisation:
SARDI Food Safety and Innovation
Project start/end date:
23 Feb 2014
-
22 Oct 2015
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
1. 1 To design a statistically robust survey to evaluate virus occurrence in oyster growing areas in NSW, Qld, SA and Tas
2. 2 To identify the prevalence of NoV and HAV associated with Australian oysters at harvest
3. 3 To use the survey results to support trade and market access of Australian oysters
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2023-103
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
Detecting paralytic shellfish toxins in oysters - initial assessment of AquaBC rapid test kit
1. Review & identify different PST profiles that may be encountered in TAS, SA and NSW oysters.
ORGANISATION:
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) Hobart
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2023-070
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
The feasibility of a financial safety-net: Investigating financial mechanisms to protect oyster growers from disease outbreaks
1. By October 2024, obtain insights into potential financial support mechanisms, and their suitability for implementation in the NSW oyster industry.
ORGANISATION:
NSW Farmers' Association
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2023-006
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
Assess the future needs of Australia's aquatic animal disease diagnostic system
1. Undertake stakeholder consultation to inform future demands on the diagnostic system over the next 5 to 10 years considering the current diagnostic landscape, and the emergence of new diagnostic needs and technologies.
ORGANISATION:
University of Sydney (USYD)