Risk assessment tools for Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus associated with seafood

Overview

There has been an increase in reported outbreaks and cases of foodborne disease attributed to pathogenic Vibrio species. As a result, there have been several instances where the presence of pathogenic Vibrio spp. in seafood has led to a disruption in international trade. A number of Vibrio spp. are increasingly being recognized as potential human pathogens. The food safety concerns associated with these microorganisms have led to the need for microbiological risk assessment for their control.

This report provides the review of risk assessment of existing tools for V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in oysters and different bivalve molluscan species, the available information on testing methodology and recommend microbiological methods to monitor the levels of pathogenic Vibrio spp. in seafood and/or water. Such tools are envisioned to support countries in their efforts to use risk-based approaches in the selection of control measures appropriate for their seafood species, primary production and post-harvest practices.

This volume and others in this Microbiological Risk Assessment Series contain information that is useful to both risk assessors and risk managers, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, governments and regulatory authorities, food producers and processers and other institutions and individuals with an interest in Vibrio spp. and its control.