Project Number: 1935-42000-059-03
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Oct 01, 2005
End Date: Sep 29, 2010

Objective:
Data obtained in the studies to compare the respective behavior of murine norovirus-1 (MNV-1) and Norwalk virus will be used within the experimental protocol. This comparative analysis can then be used to guide further human norovirus studies using MNV-1 as a surrogate virus. A comprehensive outreach/extension program will be developed to disseminate information on the use of HPP treatment to safety eradicate or inactivate foodborne pathogens. An education program including print, electronic, and audiovisual media will be implemented to make consumers, food handlers, and regulators aware of the effects and benefits of HPP treatment, using research results as an example.

Approach:
Determine the HPP parameters necessary to inactivate MNV-1 by employing recently proposed plaque assay and mouse model techniques. Using data obtained as a guide we will determine the HPP parameters necessary to inactivate Norwalk virus in naturally contaminated foods using oysters as a model.