Investigation Underway into Spread of Deadly Disease in PEI Oysters Amidst Uncertainty
Oyster farmers in Prince Edward Island are facing uncertain times as three more areas of the island have tested positive for the presence of a deadly parasite that could threaten the industry.
P.E.I.’s oyster farming industry has been placed under restrictions to curb the spread of multinuclear sphere X, or MSX, a disease first detected in oyster samples earlier this month that increases mortality and stunts growth in the mollusks.
The parasite has now been detected in four areas of the island in total, and farmers are awaiting information from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to determine the rate of spread and the safest way to continue production.
Infected Areas
The first case of MSX in P.E.I was confirmed on July 13, 2024, when the CFIA detected the parasite in oyster samples in Bedeque Bay. Six days later, the area in and around the community was declared a primary control zone, authorities said in a July 20 press release, meaning that animals or objects at risk of contamination could only be moved in and out of the area with a permit from the CFIA.
MSX can increase mortality rates in oysters by up to 95 percent. It also impedes new shell growth and makes oysters thin and watery. The disease does not pose a risk to human health, according to the CFIA.
Still Safe to Eat
The P.E.I oyster industry has an estimated landed value of over $24 million, according to a 2023 government report. The island accounts for 26 percent of Canadian oyster production and 74 percent of Atlantic Canada oyster production, according to estimates from P.E.I’s Department of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture.
Mr. Warris says he remains hopeful that the industry will not be negatively affected, adding that it is not uncommon to grow oysters in MSX-positive regions, as is done in places such as Maine in the U.S.
“I would like to highlight that the oysters themselves are perfectly safe to eat,” he said. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with P.E.I oysters just because of this unfortunate incident.”
He says one way the public can help islanders in these times of uncertainty is to “keep eating P.E.I oysters.”