New Virus Found in Farmed Pacific Oysters During BC Die-Off, Scientists Say

Oysters harvested in Canada are seen at Bryan Szeliga’s Fishtown Seafood in Haddonfield, N.J., on March 6, 2025. The Canadian Press/AP-Matt Rourke

Researchers based in British Columbia have identified a virus that may pose a threat to farmed Pacific oysters and contributed to the mass mortality event of the species in 2020.

Scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) published a report on Aug. 4 detailing their findings after an investigation into the large-scale die-off in the province five years ago.