Canadian Food Inspection Agency investigating after parasite found in P.E.I. oysters
CTV
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says a 'worrisome' parasite has been confirmed in at least one area on Prince Edward Island and samples from several oyster farms have been sent for testing.
A "worrisome" parasite has been confirmed in at least one area on Prince Edward Island, and samples from several oyster farms have been sent for testing, says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Danielle Williams, disease technical specialist at the federal agency, said the parasite called multinucleate sphere X -- or MSX -- has been confirmed in Bedeque Bay on the province's south shore.
"We haven't determined the amount of spread yet, but it is worrisome. It is very worrisome," she said in an interview Monday.
Several other sites are considered "under suspicion" of having the parasite and have been placed under quarantine as investigation continues to confirm whether it is present, including a location on Malpeque Bay on the province's north shore, she added.
"We have found another location in Malpeque area and so we have a few places under quarantine right now," she said. "What we did was that if a place was under suspicion, we placed it under quarantine until the testing results were finished."
She said the parasite likes to stay in "little pockets of areas," and if scientists are able to quickly identify and stop it from moving further, they can limit damage to the industry.
The parasite affects the growth of oysters and increases mortality, but there is no human health risk. Typically, cultivated oysters take about three years to reach market size, and the inspection agency said mortality rates from the disease can reach 90 to 95 per cent in older oysters.
