Study to analyse the impact, mgt and prevalence of Norovirus in multiple oyster production areas around coast of Ireland and investigate correlation/ratio of infectious and non-infectious virus

Tender description

The Service comprise of a study of the impact management and prevalence of norovirus in multiple oyster production areas around the coast of Ireland and to investigate the correlation and ratio of infectious and non-infectious virus in oysters at different stages of production. This requires the appointment of a suitably qualified service provider who will analyse samples provided by Irish Oyster industry members, to establish levels of Norovirus in those samples, create weekly reports on the profile of samples submitted, produce a project report that can be used by industry to establish national norovirus trends, make recommendations on best practice, thus ensuring the maintenance of premium position in the marketplace. In addition, the successful tenderer will investigate the ratio of infectious and non-infectious virus using F-specific RNA (FRNA) bacteriophage in a sub-set of the samples provided by Irish industry members to understand the infectious risk of Norovirus in oysters at key stages of the Irish production process