Shellfish affected by a virus. After the prefecture of Gironde, those of Calvados and La Mancha “temporarily” prohibited on Friday, December 29, the consumption and marketing of oysters produced in certain coastal sectors of these two departments.
In Gironde, the bans affect shellfish from the Arcachon basin, including the Bank of Arguin. In Calvados, the production in question is that from the Grandcamp-Maisy Est and Géfosse-Fontenay sectors, in the Bayeux district. In the Manche region, the affected sector is Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, in the northeast of Cotentin.
The prefectures specify that “traceability studies and analysis” of the “cultured oysters” have been carried out and that “they indicate that this is a contamination of the oysters coming from” the target sectors “.
Norovirus in question
In its press release, the prefecture of Gironde specifies that the analyzes carried out made it possible to detect the presence of “norovirus” in the seafood. But what is it exactly?
Noroviruses are viruses “responsible for acute gastroenteritis in people of all ages,” according to Public Health France. Transmission is “primarily person-to-person,” according to the health agency, but not exclusively.
“These viruses can be transmitted through food by ingesting water or food, consumed raw or lightly cooked,” he specifies. In this case, food can “be contaminated directly during production, through contact with water contaminated by excrement.”
Rain-related sewage overflow
This is probably what happened in the case of oysters from Gironde, Mancha and Calvados, according to professionals in the sector. According to AFP, oyster farmers in the Arcachon basin point to water contamination, which would have contaminated the oysters.
In two and a half months, about 550 mm of water, or 550 liters per square meter, fell in the area, compared to 800 mm per year in general, according to Olivier Laban, president of the Arcachon Aquitaine Regional Shellfish Committee (CRCAA). ). ).
“The sanitation system overflowed and the dirty water migrated to the lowest point, the water in the basin,” he explains, pointing out the presence of sewage and rainwater in the oyster beds.
“There are no serious cases”
After contamination with norovirus, the typical symptoms of acute gastroenteritis generally appear between 24 and 72 hours: diarrhea, vomiting with or without nausea, abdominal pain and fever.
Gastroenteritis usually lasts only a few days. According to the prefectures, to date “no serious cases” have been recorded.
However, according to Public Health France, an “increase in emergency visits for gastrointestinal symptoms related to the same food origin” was recorded on December 25 and 26, 2023, it indicates in its latest weekly bulletin.
Source: BFM TV
