Aerotech P&K Awarded Exclusive PCR License for Noroviruses and Hepatitis A Testing

Noroviruses a.k.a. Norwalk-like viruses and Hepatitis A are increasingly becoming an issue among travelers and healthcare workers. Recent outbreaks have motivated the travel and healthcare industries to test for these organisms on a more routine basis. Concerns have increased at popular vacation spots such as hotels, casinos, and cruise ships. According to the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), eleven out of the sixteen cases of gastrointestinal illness reported in 2005 by cruise ships were suspected to be caused by norovirus. The VSP inspects and assists ships in controlling possible disease outbreaks onboard the ships.

In response to this increased interest, Aerotech P&K has added two new analyses for the detection of noroviruses and Hepatitis A.

Aerotech P&K is the only commercial laboratory in the United States licensed to analyze environmental samples for these two contaminants utilizing patented PCR technology.