QX disease threatens Port Stephens oysters

NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Sarah Britton said laboratory testing had confirmed the presence of QX in samples following routine sampling in Port Stephens.

Though the disease poses no health risk to humans, it can cause Sydney Rock oysters to lose condition and perish.

Samples were sent to the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute and the positive result was confirmed on Friday, Dr Britton said, adding that NSW DPI will be deploying significant resources to bear in the effort to manage the detection.

"Port Stephens is a vital oyster producing estuary and the second most valuable NSW oyster production estuary in NSW.

"Oyster production in NSW is estimated to be worth $58.2 million and oyster producers, particularly Port Stephens oyster producers, are still recovering from flooding in March."

Dr Britton urged Sydney Rock Oyster producers to be vigilant and to report anything unusual with their stock.

"It's vital that any producer who sees anything out of the ordinary reports it to the NSW Biosecurity Hotline on 1800 680 244," she said.

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