Officials in P.E.I. 'working around the clock' to curb spread of oyster disease

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has published the locations of three additional P.E.I. waterways where the presence of an oyster disease has been confirmed.

The areas placed under quarantine after presumptive positive test results for MSX are:

That's in addition to Bedeque Bay, where the pathogen was first detected on July 11. 

The CFIA is not disclosing any information about the individuals or companies that are the subject of the presumptive positive test results. 

MSX, or multinuclear sphere X, is the disease caused in oysters and other bivalve shellfish by a parasite called haplosporidium nelsoni. 

While there's no health risk for people eating affected oysters, the disease can lead to a mortality rate of up to 95 per cent when it strikes an oyster bed. 

The CFIA declared a primary control zone (PCZ) in Bedeque Bay on July 19, before adding the designation to the other three other quarantined areas this week. 

"Additional sites outside the ones mentioned above have been placed under quarantine as a temporary measure as part of CFIA's tracing activities," the agency said late Wednesday afternoon.

A primary control zone is a defined area where the disease has been detected or is suspected to exist. A permit from the CFIA is required to move shellfish in and out of such a zone, in an effort to limit the spread of the disease. 

"CFIA employees are working around the clock to get permitting in place to enable the low-risk movement of oysters and other bivalves direct for human consumption or retail within or out of the PCZ — and other quarantined zones," the inspection agency said in the statement. 

"We empathize with the industry on the significant impacts on them from this detection, and greatly appreciate their support and patience as we develop our response to this disease. We need to get things right to help minimize the risk of further spread." 

The agency said it continues to test oysters from other P.E.I. waterways.  

In a news release, Borden-Kinkora MLA Matt MacFarlane called on Premier Dennis King's government to support research into MSX and provide financial help for the oyster industry. 

MacFarlane said current and past provincial governments have known about the disease for a long time, and should have been better prepared for its appearance in P.E.I. waters.