Effective December 5, 2024, the United States is officially declared free from three important molluscan pathogens: Marteilia refringens, Marteilioides chungmuensis, and Perkinsus olseni. These pathogens are listed by Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services (APHIS VS) National List of Reportable Animal Diseases (NLRAD) and are immediately reportable to APHIS VS.

These country-level freedom declarations were made in alignment with the WOAH criteria as specified in Chapter 1.4. Aquatic Animal Disease Surveillance of the WOAH Aquatic Code, and affirm APHIS’ commitment to ensuring and maintaining healthy aquatic animal populations for domestic use and international trade purposes.

For additional information about the United States’ freedom declarations for aquatic animal pathogens, please visit the APHIS website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/aquaculture/health-status-reviews.