Oyster herpes outbreak
An oyster herpesvirus outbreak was confirmed in juvenile Pacific oysters at a farm in Poole Harbour in Dorset. Oyster herpesvirus is a virulent viral disease of the Pacific oyster, but has no implications for human health.
The Fish Health Inspectorate and Cefas epidemiologists are currently investigating the outbreak.
The cause of the virus is still unknown, but it has been suggested that varying climates and temperatures may have an impact.
The herpes found in Pacific oysters only occurs in water warmer than 16C and there is no cure. In the last years, the French oyster industry has suffered nationwide infections on a great scale.
