March 15, 2021

Estonian shrimp linked to norovirus outbreaks in Sweden

Shrimp from Estonia have been linked to norovirus outbreaks in Sweden.

Reports from local authorities have not been fully compiled but based on preliminary information, officials believe more than 100 people have fallen sick.

The outbreaks mainly happened at workplaces where people have consumed shrimp sandwiches or a popular product in Scandinavia called "smörgåstårta."

The first outbreak occurred on the last weekend of February. An implicated batch was withdrawn from the market on March 1 when the distributing company received information about the first illnesses.

Mats Lindblad of Livsmedelsverket, the Swedish Food Agency), said the link was made by patient interviews with product testing results pending.

"So far it's based on interviews with cases and backwards and forward tracing of food. Results from product testing are still pending, but samples of shrimps from the implicated batch have been sent to the Swedish Food Agency for microbiological analysis of norovirus," he said. "The product has only been sold to food business operators producing shrimp sandwiches or smörgåstårta. Therefore, no public recall has been deemed necessary."

Lindblad said due to limited distribution of affected products and withdrawal measures, more illnesses are not expected.

The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. Other symptoms may include low-grade fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and a sense of tiredness.

Norovirus is transmitted by having contaminated food or water or from person to person through contact with the skin, objects or inhaling airborne particles.

- Food Safety News