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Microbiological safety of bivalve shellfish
Filter-feeding shellfish can accumulate bacteria and viruses in sewage-contaminated waters. European food-hygiene regulations help reduce the resulting consumer risk, particularly when shellfish are eaten raw or lightly cooked.
National Reference Laboratory scope
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) in shellfish
- foodborne viruses in shellfish
- microbiological monitoring and classification of bivalve shellfish production areas
Principal laboratory duties
- collaborating with the appropriate European Union reference laboratories (EURLs)
- coordinating the activities of designated official-control laboratories in Ireland
- disseminating information from EURLs to competent authorities and official-control laboratories
- providing scientific and technical assistance to competent authorities
- assisting competent authorities with the diagnosis and investigation of foodborne-illness outbreaks
Real-time PCR quantification
Norovirus analysis in oysters
The Marine Institute is accredited to use an internationally recognised standard method for norovirus quantification in oysters.
Since 2018, we have provided a testing service for Irish oyster producers through a programme funded by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). There are currently no recognised regulatory limits for norovirus. Testing helps producers make informed risk-management decisions and supports competent authorities investigating suspected shellfish-associated outbreaks.
References
References
An Acute Infectious Gastroenteritis Outbreak Linked to Oyster Consumption report.
Shellfish microbiology research
The team’s work includes risk assessment, risk management, and the environmental effects of municipal wastewater-treatment plants.
Current research project
PreVir is a three-year Water4All-funded project involving institutes in France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the Marine Institute in Ireland. It aims to develop early-warning tools that can adapt viral mitigation measures to extreme climatic events.
In Ireland, the project works with the shellfish industry to identify drivers of viral contamination in shellfish areas. It also investigates environmental triggers that could initiate additional risk-management procedures.
References
References
References
Towards an early-warning tool predicting enteric virus contamination in coastal watersheds – PreVir
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Reports, methods, and publications
Access the cited method, outbreak report, and recent research publications on norovirus in oysters.
View all documentsInternationally recognised standard method for norovirus quantification in oysters
The method used by the Marine Institute for accredited norovirus quantification in oysters.
An Acute Infectious Gastroenteritis Outbreak Linked to Oyster Consumption
A report on an acute infectious gastroenteritis outbreak linked to oyster consumption.
The impact of winter relocation and depuration on norovirus concentrations in pacific oysters harvested from a commercial production site
Research examining how winter relocation and depuration affect norovirus concentrations in Pacific oysters from a commercial production site.
Estimating the distribution of norovirus in individual oysters
Research estimating how norovirus is distributed among individual oysters.
Evaluation of Norovirus Reduction in Environmentally Contaminated Pacific Oysters During Laboratory Controlled and Commercial Depuration 2021
An evaluation of norovirus reduction during laboratory-controlled and commercial depuration of environmentally contaminated Pacific oysters.
Impact of COVID-19 Nonpharmaceutical Interventions on the Extent of Norovirus Contamination in Oyster Production Areas in Ireland during Winter 2020 to 2021
Research into the extent of norovirus contamination in Irish oyster-production areas during COVID-19 nonpharmaceutical interventions.
A quantitative exposure assessment model for norovirus in oysters harvested from a classified production area - ScienceDirect
A quantitative model assessing exposure to norovirus from oysters harvested in a classified production area.
Contact the shellfish microbiology team
For further information, contact Sinéad Keaveney. Headquarters fax: (+)353 (0)9 138 7201. General email: institute.mail@marine.ie.