Sampling of Australian shellfish for human norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) has started under a FRDC funded project. International regulatory pressure has meant that many shellfish producing countries now test for norovirus in their SQAP programs to reduce illnesses related to norovirus.
The project aims:
To design a statistically robust survey to evaluate virus occurrence in oyster growing areas in NSW, QLD, SA and TAS – COMPLETE
To identify the prevalence of human norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) associated with Australian oysters at harvest
To use the survey results to support trade and market access of Australian oysters
A steering committee made of state industry, food safety programs and national representatives will help design the sampling program and answer questions – COMPLETE
A distribution of samples is shown in the Australian map of growing areas below.