Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

February 25, 2020

First respiratory transmitted food borne outbreak?

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  • In the absence of any findings from known animal source of human novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection, Jalava (2020) reports that wide contamination of seafood (seafood and fish tanks) and wildlife markets might explain the initiation of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. A comparative study of genetic sequences will not be adequate to resolve and provide credible evidence of sources. Rather, efforts must build supporting epidemiologic evidence to link human cases with animal or food exposures. The author proposes time-place-person models to establish causation.

Jalava (May 2020): First respiratory transmitted food borne outbreak? International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113490