News & Views
Disease Management
shellfish
MSX and Dermo confirmed in Canadian oysters
November 27, 2024 By Hatchery International staff
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of MSX and Dermo, two oyster diseases, in Spence Cove, New Brunswick samples.
This is the first confirmed case of MSX in New Brunswick, and the first confirmed case of Dermo in Canada. MSX or multinucleate sphere unknown is caused by Haplosporidium nelsoni while Dermo also known as Perkinsosis, is caused by Perkinsus marinus. These diseases do not pose risks to human health or food safety.
Earlier in the year, The CFIA confirmed the first case of MSX in Prince Edward Island and is still determining how to deal with the disease.
CFIA and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Province of New Brunswick are working with stakeholders to reduce the spread of these diseases and monitor the situation.
“These actions are part of the Government of Canada’s One Health approach to prepare for, detect, and manage animal diseases. In addition to existing robust protective measures and increased animal surveillance measures, the CFIA, DFO and the province continue to conduct tracing activities and testing of oysters to gain insight into the presence of MSX and Dermo in the area,” a press release from the CFIA states.
In the meantime, their response measures include: controlling movement to oysters in the Spence Cove area; investigating the potential source of the detection; monitor mollusc health and notifying CFIA or the province of sick oysters, decreased growth rates and increased mortalities; and ensuring that information regarding detection and movement control information is available to producers.
Print this page
