This has nothing to do with the free anti-virus programme available on the internet, but bets would be that the New Zealand people and government wish it was. The New Zealand paua could soon be under threat from a herpes-like virus that was killing off the Victorian (Australia) abalone industry, Southern Paua Management Council deputy chairman Jeremy Cooper said.
The virus, called ganglio-neuritis or AVG, has affected a 200km stretch of Victorian coastline and killed up to 90 percent of abalone on infected reefs. The Abalone shells are very similar to Paua. The virus however, does not present a danger to humans.
This virus could potentially have a devastating effect on New Zealand paua, which is related to Australian abalone species, and there was a possibility it could reach New Zealand, Mr Cooper said, through it is believed, "coastline hopping", and contaminated fishing and diving gear.
Whole parts of the Tasmanian coastline have been closed due to this reason.
For the full story and details of this epidemic, read this link.
