New Brunswick says a parasite threatening the countryB次元官网网址檚 oyster industry may have spread to the provinceB次元官网网址檚 east coast.

A news release says officials have detected the B次元官网网址減ossibleB次元官网网址� presence of the parasite called multinucleate sphere X B次元官网网址� or MSX B次元官网网址� in Spence Cove, in the waters along New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

It says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is waiting for results from the samples it collected.

The province says it has placed the area under quarantine, prohibiting the movement of oysters to and from the cove.

The parasite was detected in July for the first time in Prince Edward Island, threatening the provinceB次元官网网址檚 world-renowned oyster industry.

Statistics Canada says New BrunswickB次元官网网址檚 oyster industry is worth about $24 million a year.

New Brunswick Fisheries Minister Pat Finnigan says the government will work with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and stakeholders as the investigation proceeds.

B次元官网网址淲e recognize the uncertainty surrounding the full economic impact of this situation and we are prepared to work with affected producers as more information becomes available,B次元官网网址� he says.

The Canadian Press