Assessment of Norovirus Contamination in Ready-to-Eat Foods Sold at Street Stalls in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne viral gastroenteritis globally, yet its presence in ready-to-eat street foods in Nigerian urban markets is poorly documented. This study assesses norovirus contamination in commonly sold ready-to-eat foods in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South South Nigeria. Thirty food items representing five food categories (rice dishes, battered fish, sliced fruits, salads, and grilled meats) will be purchased from 20 street food stalls across five local government areas in Port Harcourt over three months. Elution and concentration of viral particles from food matrices will be performed using polyethylene glycol precipitation, followed by norovirus GI and GII RNA detection by RT-PCR using Codehop primers. Concurrent swabbing of food handlers' hands will assess potential contamination sources. The study will also document food handler hygiene practices and environmental sanitation conditions at each stall. Norovirus has been detected in street foods across West Africa at rates of 5 to 30 percent, though Rivers State-specific data are absent. Findings will characterise the norovirus contamination burden of street foods in Port Harcourt, providing evidence for the Rivers State Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to enforce hygiene regulations at street food outlets and implement food handler training programmes. Keywords: norovirus, food contamination, street food, Port Harcourt, RT-PCR