Norovirus and Bivalve Molluscs

Summary

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that are the most common cause of gastroenteritis or stomach bugs, often referred to as the ‘winter vomiting virus’. Food borne transmission via bivalve shellfish (mainly contaminated raw oysters) is one (but the least likely) way of contracting norovirus. The number of people in the UK who contract norovirus from eating live bivalve molluscs is very small and numbers are not increasing. This fact sheet looks specifically at the harvesting of live bivalve molluscs, routes of norovirus contamination and treatment options available to reduce contamination levels.

Publication date

01 July 2016