Lack of evidence so far for Noroviruses in food samples collected on cruise ships sailing the Mediterranean waters.

Abstract

Closed living spaces like cruise ship settings create an environment in which enteric viruses including Noroviruses (NoVs) can easily spread and outbreaks readily occur. The contribution of sources other than common confirmed vehicles to foodborne illness in cruise ships was investigated. None of the 189 collected samples (including meat, fish, buffet meals, fruits, vegetables etc.) tested by real-time RT-PCR (ISO/TS 15216-2:2013) reveled NoVs genome. Naturally contaminated food items other than shellfish have been demonstrated to be cause of NoVs infection thus, our results could neither indicate nor exclude food items as possible vehicle of infection. Reducing risk factors associated with NoVs outbreaks (contaminated raw ingredients, cross contamination, infected food handlers, inadequate temperature controls, heat treatments) is always strongly recommended.