Chickens may be the source of the winter vomiting bug Norovirus (NV), according to research being carried out at University College Dublin.
Scientists there and at University College Cork recently developed a fast and accurate test to diagnose the illness in humans.
Now, according to a report from Relay, which reports on research for the food industry, that test is being used to find out the source of the illness.
It said Dr Paul Whyte and his team at UCD were investigating the possibility that NVs circulating in humans may originate from foods of animal origin.
"They tested over 3,000 faecal and 2,500 chicken, pork and sheep meat samples using the human NV primers developed at UCC," it said.
"No viruses were detected in beef, pig or sheep meat. Results from the chicken samples suggested the possible presence of NV and the researchers are running further tests to confirm their results," it said. "While scientists are searching for a vaccine against NV, strict hygiene practices are currently the best methods to stop the spread."