Viruses

Viruses, especially norovirus and hepatitis A, are an important cause of foodborne diseases. Viral contamination of food occurs through contact with infected persons, e.g. food handlers.

Food contaminated with viruses can trigger dangerous infections in humans ranging from mild diarrheal illness to severe hepatitis. Foods that are handled manually and are not processed before consumption are at particular risk of viral contamination. The identification of viruses is an important part of food safety management and can be performed with molecular biological systems, e.g. the highly specific real-time PCR kits of the SureFast® PATHOGEN product line.