New Brunswick says a parasite threatening the country鈥檚 oyster industry may have spread to the province鈥檚 east coast.

A news release says officials have detected the 鈥減ossible鈥� presence of the parasite called multinucleate sphere X 鈥� or MSX 鈥� 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 province鈥檚 world-renowned oyster industry.

Statistics Canada says New Brunswick鈥檚 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.

鈥淲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,鈥� he says.

The Canadian Press