1 research outputs found
Fate of Human Noroviruses in Shellfish and Water Impacted by Frequent Sewage Pollution Events
Knowledge
of the fate of human noroviruses (NoV) in the marine
environment is key to better controlling shellfish-related NoV gastroenteritis.
We quantified NoV and Escherichia coli in sewage from storm tank discharges and treated effluent processed
by a UV-disinfection plant following activated sludge treatment and
studied the fate of these microorganisms in an oyster harvesting area
impacted by frequent stormwater discharges and infrequent freshwater
discharges. Oyster monitoring sites were positioned at intervals downstream
from the wastewater treatment works (WwTW) outfall impacting the harvesting
area. The decay rates of NoV in oysters as a function of the distance
from the outfall were less rapid than those for E.
coli that had concentrations of NoV of the same order
of magnitude and were over 7 km away from the outfall. Levels of E. coli in oysters from more tidally influenced areas
of the estuary were higher around high water than around low water,
whereas tidal flows had no influence on NoV contamination in the oysters.
The study provides comparative data on the contamination profiles
and loadings of NoV and E. coli in
a commercial oyster fishery impacted by a WwTW