The world is their oyster: Scientists work on crucial vaccine

Causing rapid death and high mortality rates, Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) has devastated oyster farming worldwide. The disease is caused by the virus Ostreid Herpesvirus type 1 (OsHV-1) and is capable of killing farmed Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) within days of detection. Commercial juveniles, or spat, are particularly at risk of POMS mortality on farms, with some reporting stock losses of up to 90%. In New Zealand, where the virus was detected for the first time in the North Island in 2010, farmers have been struggling to stay afloat amidst terrible impacts.