Major human Hepatitis A virus genotype in Hong Kong marine waters and detection by real-time PCR

► First report describing HAV genotype IB as the major HAV type in Hong Kong marine waters. ► A HAV harvesting method with a high recovery rate of ∼17% from marine waters is described. ► Lack of correlation between HAV and E. coli in Hong Kong marine waters. ► HAV particles in Hong Kong marine waters are infective and produce cytopathic effects in cultured FRhK-4 cells.