Aquatic Animal HealthMolluscan Health
Molluscs (including oysters, mussels, scallops and clams) are critical components of aquatic communities and are the basis of major global fishery and aquaculture industries. Molluscs are farmed in open water systems, can be traded live and, are often translocated for on-growing in new locations, including across international borders. Considering their potential to become infected with a wide range of disease-causing agents (from viruses to bacteria, protists and metazoans) alongside this mobility, emergent diseases have become a frequent feature in the global production industry. Cefas has a long history in the detection, description, diagnosis and control of molluscan shellfish diseases and has been a National Reference Laboratory in the discipline on behalf of UK Government for several decades. Our specialists apply their deep technical expertise in histopathology, transmission electron microscopy, pathogen systematics and, molecular diagnostics for the detection, classification and reporting of novel molluscan pathogens. Our research work is applied to inshore and offshore production systems and is closely aligned with policy requirements which supports the international trading of this important commodity.
Molluscan Health Team
Frederico Batista - Lead