The results of this research are part of a wider effort to introduce validated methods for routine use in laboratories in Europe, through the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) process.
The new methods have already been used within the SEAFOODplus project REDRISK for giving a greater understanding of the conditions leading to viral contamination of shellfish. Understanding how and when the contamination occurs is the first step in developing improved risk management procedures in shellfisheries. Results indicate that environmental conditions, such as heavy rainfall, can have a highly significant role in the viral contamination. It is shown that such events can cause an overflow of sewage, which may bypass treatment. These events then become highly significant, as they can create a route for virus transmission during epidemic periods of illness in the community.
New tools for detecting viruses are developed and a growing understanding of virus contamination of shellfish is gained from the SEAFOODplus projects. It is an appropriate time for stakeholders to come together and determinate strategies for reducing the virus risk associated with shellfish consumption.
For this purpose, SEAFOODplus organised a workshop dedicated to this subject on the 4th of June 2007, in Bilbao, prior to the SEAFOODplus Annual Conference. All stakeholders, including regulators, the industry and scientists attended and gave their input. Details on the programme and the resulting recommendations are given in the Events section of the SEAFOODplus homepage.
