The aquatic ornamental species trade is a significant pathway for the introduction and establishment of non-indigenous species into aquatic environments. This research used import data and species’ temperature tolerances to investigate the possible establishment of non-indigenous freshwater fish and the co-introduction, and co-invasion, of their infectious disease agents to New Zealand.

Keywords: aquarium trade, non-indigenous species, species distribution modelling, freshwater fish

This study evaluated notified case, hospital discharge, and New Zealand isolate typing data as well as evidence from findings of STEC on animals and in the environment in New Zealand. Comparative analysis of the potential source genomes available confirmed that ruminants are a reservoir for clinically relevant STEC in New Zealand. The only food with a proven link to STEC infection cases in New Zealand is raw milk, which was established during an outbreak investigation in 2016.