May 20, 2011

 

Chile to have more stringent ISA virus detection systems

 

The National Marine Fishery Service (Sernapesca) of Chile reviews the likelihood of establishing stricter systems for the discovery and clearance of the salmon infectious anemia (ISA) virus in farms.

 

This week, Sernapesca discussion about the ISA control programme with the salmon industry is expected to come to an end.

 

The first proposed measure is to remove the ISA-virus positive test specimens immediately rather than wait 48 hours, as it happens currently.

 

Those companies that fail to observe this warning will have to pay fines and will be subjected to a risk category rise for their farms, according to the media.

 

In addition, Sernapesca stated that if two diagnostic techniques offer ISA positive results in the so-called rechecking of a farming center, the elimination of the full cage will take place.

 

This extreme measure will be taken provided that it is not the apathogenic variant (HPR0).

 

At the same time, an intermediate category, Non-Virulent Confirmed Case and Virulent Confirmed Case, could be added.

 

Currently, two types of ISA virus are disseminated; pathogens and the ones that are not capable of causing the disease with the latter happening in most cases.

 

Sernapesca also claimed that when more than 30% of the cages offer ISA positive results, the whole farm should be eliminated.

 

This last issue raised much controversy, as salmon producers demanded a lower percentage of mortality in the farms.

 

Sernapesca informed that until May 6, the number of sites classified as ISA-virus suspected increased from 13-14 nationwide.