Guidance

Marteilia refringens

How to spot Marteilia refringens, what to do if you suspect it and measures to prevent its spread.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Details

颁辞苍迟别苍迟蝉听

  1. How to spot Marteilia refringens
  2. How Marteilia refringens is spread
  3. Preventing and controlling Marteilia refringens
  4. Further information on Marteilia refringens
  5. Legislation relating to Marteilia refringens
  6. Who to contact if you suspect Marteilia refringens

Marteilia refringens is a protozoan parasite infecting molluscan shellfish including the native (or flat) oyster (Ostrea edulis) and blue mussel (Mytilus edulis).听听

Information on susceptible and vector species can be found here: Susceptible and vector species - 188体育 (www.gov.uk)

Great Britain is free from Marteilia refringens expect for an infected zone (or Confirmed designation area) in the river Tamar which is under disease controls to contain and prevent further spread, more information can be found here: Listed diseases of fish, molluscs and crustacea and their status - 188体育 (www.gov.uk).

It is a 鈥�listed鈥� (also referred to as 鈥榥otifiable鈥�) disease which you are legally obligated to report immediately to the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), Cefas Fish Health Inspectorate - 188体育 (www.gov.uk)

It does not affect humans.听

How to spot Marteilia refringens听

Outbreaks are most likely to occur in late summer and autumn when water temperatures are at their highest.听听

Signs of the disease can include:听

  • Increase of dead / empty shells听
  • Gaping shells which don鈥檛 close when touched or when exposed to air听
  • Weak听

How Marteilia refringens is spread听

Marteilia refringens is spread through movements of and contact with infected shellfish and contact with contaminated equipment or water.听

Preventing and controlling Marteilia refringens听听

There is no treatment for Marteilia refringens.听

Prevention is the best approach to disease control. You can protect your shellfish by being aware of the signs of Marteilia refringens and other serious diseases and checking stock health regularly. Implement good husbandry and biosecurity practises.听听听

Further information on biosecurity measures plans, guidance and templates can be found here: Biosecurity Measure Plans - Information and Templates - 188体育 (www.gov.uk)

You must be sure any shellfish introduced are Marteilia refringens free. Do not buy shellfish of unknown origin. Follow the rules on moving aquatic animals: Aquatic animal health and movements guides - 188体育 (www.gov.uk)听听

You must report it to the FHI immediately if you notice or become aware of shellfish showing any of the signs of Marteilia refringens, particularly increased mortality and gaping shells. The FHI will investigate and if required will apply disease control measures.听听听

Further information on Marteilia refringens听

.听听

Legislation relating to Marteilia refringens听

2009听听

The listed diseases are in and .听

Who to contact if you suspect Marteilia refringens听听

If you suspect or know of a listed disease of fish and shellfish in England and Wales, you must report it immediately to the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), Cefas. You must also tell the FHI immediately if you know or suspect that increased mortality has occurred.听听

Under the Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 it is a legal obligation to report suspicion of Marteilia refringens in any farmed or wild shellfish to the FHI. It is an offence under the Regulations to fail to inform the FHI of suspicion of Marteilia refringens.听

  • 贰尘补颈濒:鈥�[email protected]
  • Telephone: 01305 206700听- Monday to Thursday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm听
  • For emergencies out of hours telephone: 01305 206630听

Fish Health Inspectorate
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
Barrack Road,听The Nothe
Weymouth
Dorset
DT4 8UB

Updates to this page

Published 22 March 2024
Last updated 11 September 2024 show all updates
  1. Updated link to susceptible and vector species list.

  2. Vector and Susceptible species list updated from v1.1 to v1.2.

  3. Updated susceptible/vector species list.

  4. First published.

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