Funding Type: EPA STRIVE Programme 2007 - 2013
Funding Year: 2007
Project Duration: 36 months
Project Type: PhD Scholarship
Total Grant-aid: 95,000
Lead Partner: University College Cork
Project Summary:
Sewage effluent in coastal waters used for oyster culture and water-contact recreation poses a risk to human health. The primary pathogen in outbreaks of gastroenteritis following consumption of raw oysters is the Norovirus or "winter vomiting bug". The virus is life threatening to those with post-operative stress, the very young and very old. An infected person may excrete 0.15 billion Norovirus particles per day to the sewer system. The goals of this research are to:
(a) Quantify the risk of infection through coastal waters;
(b) Evaluate possible containment of treated sewage effluent, rather than dilution; and
(c) Make a prototype early alarm system.
For further information on the EPA STRIVE Programme see www.epa.ie .