Guidance

Mikrocytos mackini

How to spot Mikrocytos mackini, 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 Mikrocytos mackini
  2. How Mikrocytos mackini is spread
  3. Preventing and controlling Mikrocytos mackini
  4. Legislation relating to Mikrocytos mackini
  5. Who to contact if you suspect Mikrocytos mackini

Mikrocytos mackini is a protozoan parasite which affects oyster species including Pacific oysters (Magallana [Syn. Crassostrea] gigas) and native oysters (Ostrea 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 Mikrocytos mackini, and 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)听听

There has never been a recorded outbreak of Mikrocytos mackini in the UK.听

It does not affect humans.听

How to spot Mikrocytos mackini听

Outbreaks are likely to occur during the spring when water temperature are less than 10掳C.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
  • Small abscesses, usually green in colour on soft tissue, with brown scars on shells听

How Mikrocytos mackini is spread听

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

Preventing and controlling Mikrocytos mackini听听

There is no treatment for Mikrocytos mackini.听

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

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

Legislation relating to Mikrocytos mackini听

2009听听

The listed diseases are in and .听

Who to contact if you suspect Mikrocytos mackini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 Mikrocytos mackini 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 Mikrocytos mackini.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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