2 days ago
First case of dermo disease detected in N.L. oysters
Federal food safety officials say they've confirmed the first case of dermo disease in oysters from Newfoundland and Labrador.
It's a disease caused by the parasite Perkinsus marinus, and can cause significant mortality of both cultured and wild oysters, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
The first case in Canada was found in November in New Brunswick, and it has since been found in oysters from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
The CFIA says the disease has now been detected in oyster samples from Notre Dame Bay, N.L.
On May 30 CFIA issued a quarantine order at Notre Dame Bay Mussel Farms Inc. due to dermo's detection.
"The company is cooperating and complying with all regulatory orders and is following government-approved policies for reporting," said the notice.
The parasite doesn't pose a risk to human health or food safety, but the agency says the illness can cause increased oyster mortality and decreased growth rates as it can spread from oyster to oyster and also through water contaminated with the parasite.
The CFIA says it's working with the province and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to increase oyster monitoring, control the movement of oysters in the area and look for the source of the illness.
