There is currently great concern on the Adriatic coast after the European Rapid Notification System for Food and Feed (RASFF) announced that norovirus had been detected in a product from Croatia. Food contamination was discovered during controls in Italian markets. As the Croatian media outlet dnvenik.hr writes, the contaminated product is clams, also called sea truffles (Tartufo di mare) or sea nuts.
Since the mussels must have contracted the virus through seawater, there are fears in Croatia that other shellfish and fish could also be infected. Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads through person-to-person contact, eating contaminated food and water, or touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes an infection of the gastrointestinal tract (acute gastroenteritis).
Symptoms are very pronounced and include vomiting and diarrhea, which are very serious and can lead to dehydration. In addition, abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, headaches and high fever occur. Symptoms usually appear 12 to 48 hours after infection.