Division II.3 Official investigation and diagnostic methods to confirm the presence of or to rule out the suspicion of infection with Marteilia refringens

When a suspicion of infection with Marteilia refringens is required to be confirmed or ruled out in accordance with F1Part 4 of the Aquatic Animal Health Regulations, the following inspection, sampling and testing procedure shall be complied with:

1. (a)

   the official investigation shall include at least one sampling of 30 molluscs of susceptible species if the suspicion is based on a mortality report or if not, 150 molluscs of susceptible species after the beginning of the transmission period of Marteilia refringens. When the transmission period is not known, the sampling shall begin in the period after the temperature of the water exceeds 17 °C;

2. (b)

   Samples shall be tested using the diagnostic methods set out in point (i) following the detailed diagnostic methods and procedures set out in Section I of Part 4 of Annex II:

   1. (i)

      the presence of Marteilia refringens shall be considered as confirmed when a positive result by histopathology, tissue imprints or in situ hybridisation is combined with a positive result PCR completed by sequencing;

   2. (ii)

      the suspicion of infection with Marteilia refringens may be ruled out, if the tests referred to in (i) reveal no further evidence of the presence of Marteilia refringens.