Non-Detection of Enteroviruses in Shellfish Collected from Legal Shellfish Beds in Massachusetts

Abstract

Eighty-five samples of shellfish (50 soft shell clams, 21 hard shell clams and 14 oysters) were examined for the presence of human enteric viruses. In addition, bacterial contamination levels, both fecal coliform and standard plate count, were determined. Seventy-five samples were harvested from open shellfish areas and 10 samples from restricted shellfish areas during seasonal opening. Enteroviruses were not detected in any of the samples tested. In contrast, 33 (30 from open beds and 3 from restricted areas) of 82 shellfish samples had levels of bacterial contamination that exceed current regulatory limits for shellfish.