The outbreak was reported at a semi-closed salt water green lipped mussel farm in Nelson, Marlborough.
Only one case was detected.
The aquaculture facility notified the Ministry for Primary Industries of a suspected detection of the protozoan parasite Perkinsus olseni at its farm. The notification was based on histopathological findings during routine health monitoring.
No unusual mortality or signs of ill health have been observed in Perna canaliculus at the facility.
New Zealand’s national animal health laboratory verified the presence of Perkinsus by histopathology and confirmed P. olseni via conventional PCR and sequencing.
This is the first detection of Perkinsus olseni in New Zealand green lipped mussels.
