A model for estimating pathogen variability in shellfish and predicting minimum depuration times.

ABSTRACT: Norovirus is a major cause of viral gastroenteritis, with shellfish consumption being identified as one potential norovirus entry point into the human population. Minimising shellfish norovirus levels is therefore important for both the consumer's protection and the shellfish industry's reputation. One method used to reduce microbiological risks in shellfish is depuration; however, this process also presents additional costs to industry. Providing a mechanism to estimate norovirus levels during depuration would therefore be useful to stakeholders. This paper presents a mathematical model of the depuration process and its impact on norovirus levels found in shellfish. Two fundamental stages of norovirus depuration are considered: (i) the initial distribution of norovirus loads within a shel

SUBMITTER: McMenemy P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5841822 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature