The transmission of virus disease by the marine environment

Abstract

Human enteric viruses in urban wastewater often flow into the marine environment through outfall sewers which can cause pollution of adjacent beaches used for bathing and of areas where fish and seafood grow and are harvested for human consumption. This paper will deal with the survival and dispersion of human enteric viruses in the marine environment and the risks to human health resulting from direct contact recreational activities such as bathing and/or the consumption of seafood, particularly mollusks which can concentrate viruses in the seawater and infect humans who eat such sea products raw or only partially cooked.