OIE: Outbreak of Infection with Perkinsus Olseni
An outbreak of infection with Perkinsus olseni has been reported in the small giant clam population.…An outbreak of infection with Perkinsus olseni has been reported in the small giant clam population.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received an immediate notification on 6 December. The outbreak was initially observed on 29 September, and confirmed on 30 November.
The affected regions include Iles Du Vent, Iles Sous Le Vent, Tuamotu-Gambier and Australes.
Morbidity and mortality are at zero on a scale of zero to five.
The source of the outbreaks has not yet been determined.
According to the OIE, clams, apparently healthy, were collected in the framework of a research project implemented in order to assess the technical capabilities for PCR detection of Perkinsus DNA at the Pearl Ecosystems Laboratory (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea - IFREMER, Vairao). The disease has probably been present in French Polynesia for several years.