Siobhan Ingram

• BSc (Hons) Biology
• How you can get food poisoning from oysters without eating one – Modelling the epidemiology of Norovirus.

Norovirus is a highly contagious disease, spread via person-to-person contact and through contaminated surfaces, food and water. It is responsible for numerous intestinal disease cases in the UK. The aim of this project was to help develop a microsimulation model of norovirus disease, to better understand key sources of infection. The epidemiology (transmission) of the disease was therefore deconstructed into its contributing factors, such as oyster consumption, an individual’s immune response, their proximity with people, the weather and the time of year, which can all affect the distribution of the virus. Shellfish (filter feeders) can concentrate the virus from contaminated waters in their tissues and oysters in particular have been sources of norovirus outbreaks. Due to the complexity of Norovirus it can be difficult to predict its transmission and causes of outbreaks.

Funding source: Newcastle University

Supervisor: Professor Steve Rushton