| 02 June 2006
Marine health inspectors have launched an investigation into how a deadly disease struck at an harvested natural oyster bed at Burton Beach, River Cleddau, in south west Wales. Movements of oysters in the area have been blocked to prevent the spread of bonamia ostreae, an illness dreaded by oyster farmers, because the parasite spreads rapidly amongst this shellfish.
Fortunately, it does not pose health risks to humans, but the UK Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science is baffled about the disease's source.
Senior shellfish health inspector Ian Laing said: 'It is not known how or when the disease was introduced to the River Cleddau. If anyone has any information that may help to answer these questions they can contact the Fish Health Inspectorate.'
He called for any other 'sudden unusually high mortality in native oyster stock' to be notified, as that could flag the presence of the disease. The unusual outbreak has been reported to the Office International des Épizooties, the world animal health organisation.
© 2006 Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
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