Title : Molecular analysis and prevalence of Hepatitis A and Norovirus GI and GII of mussels by real-time reverse transcription in the Zenata area, Morocco

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Norovirus (NoV) are among the major causes of gastroenteritis in the world. This study demonstrated the seasonal and geographic distribution of NoV (genogroups I and II) and HAV in bivalve molluscs. Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were collected (n = 70 samples; 12 mussels/sample) from the Zenata area (Casa-Mohammedia region) in Morocco from December 2021 to February 2023. Real-time reverse polymerase chain reaction transcription (RT-PCR) revealed both viruses. The bivalve mollusc samples tested were gathered in the Moroccan province of Zenata. Of the 70 samples analysed by RT-PCR in real time, 2 were positive for HAV (2.86%), 48 were positive for GI NoV (68.57%), and 57 were positive for GII NoV (81.43%). For this reason, it is necessary to monitor bivalve shellfish's viral health before being released for human consumption.