Analyzes carried out off Grandcamp-Maisy revealed the presence of the hepatitis A virus in shellfish in the area. Consequently, the prefecture prohibits with immediate effect any collection on site, and strongly advises against the consumption of shellfish from the Bay of Veys.
Such contamination has not occurred for almost 20 years. State health services have just detected the presence of the hepatitis A virus in shellfish collected in the Grandcamp-Maisy area. “We are witnessing an unprecedented phenomenon. The last episode dates back to 2007“; indicate the DDTM services.
Consequently, the Calvados prefecture immediately prohibits the collection of specimens in the area concerned, as well as their sale for two weeks, until June 8. Amateur fishermen are also strongly advised to collect shellfish or consume them.
We have 16 human cases brought to the attention of health authorities. National epidemic monitoring is implemented. Six confirmed cases can be linked to a common Source of hepatitis A, which is found in the Grandcamp-Maisy area.
Benoît Vérel, Prefecture of Calvados
To trace the origin of the contamination, monitoring of wastewater entering and leaving three treatment plants was set up. “We found traces of the hepatitis A virus. We have put in place reinforced monitoring of the shellfish production zone,” we explain to the Departmental Directorate of Territories and the Sea.
Prohibit the collection of all shellfish from the area, and the marketing of shellfish from the Grandcamp-Maisy area. There is not a problem of oysters, but of contamination of the environment by hepatitis A, which once again raises the question of the discharge of wastewater into the sea.
Hepatitis A is the most widespread viral hepatitis in the world with variable transmission risks depending on the health conditions of the countries. Its virus causes a liver infection, with damage that is temporary. This disease heals on its own, without treatment, its lesions disappear when the infection heals.
Unlike forms B and C of hepatitis, the disease never becomes chronic. Hepatitis A is immunizing, which means that once you have contracted it, you cannot contract it again.
This announcement of contamination is a new blow for fishing professionals. This winter, they had already been heavily affected by the gastroenteritis virus. A few days before the New Year, the Calvados prefecture issued an order to ban the sale of shellfish from two of the three parks in Calvados, due to several cases of food poisoning.
The parks of Grandcamp-Maisy, Gefosse-Fontenay and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue had been temporarily banned from sale.
