Is Australia ready for a food-borne virus outbreak?

In early 2009, there was an outbreak of Hepatitis A which was alleged to have been caused by viral contamination somewhere in the primary food supply chain or processing line for semi-dried tomatoes. Although the outbreak of Hepatitis A was never proven to have been related to semi-dried tomatoes, and the epidemiological evidence of any link was very sketchy, the issue raised serious questions about weaknesses in food regulation throughout Australia when it comes to monitoring, testing, proving and containing viral outbreaks that are potentially food-borne. This article examines various aspects of these issues including concerns about appropriate and inappropriate responses and a need for action at the highest Ministerial Council level for a proper national approach.

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