Aquaculture for all

CFIA: No Confirmed Cases Of ISA In British Columbia

Salmonids Health Biosecurity +7 more

CANADA - Based on analysis conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in close collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Province of British Columbia and the Atlantic Veterinary College, there have been no confirmed cases of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) in wild or farmed salmon in BC.

Testing in support of this investigation has been ongoing since mid-October, when a laboratory at the Atlantic Veterinary College reported that it had detected the virus.

DFO has tested all 48 samples received as part of the original reports and the results are all negative for the virus. These results are consistent with the findings of an independent laboratory in Norway, which also tested samples associated with this investigation and provided a report to the CFIA.

Additional testing continues and results will be provided when ready.

As part of the investigation, the CFIA and DFO are also looking at how the samples were collected, handled, transported and stored.

In recent years, over 5,000 wild and farmed salmon in BC have been tested by the Federal Government and the Province of BC and none have ever tested positive for the disease.

The CFIA, in collaboration with DFO and the Province of BC, is assessing the current testing levels for this virus in both wild and aquaculture populations in BC and will increase surveillance activities as required.

Infectious salmon anaemia poses no risk to people.

In Canada, infectious salmon anaemia is a "federally reportable disease" in Canada. This means that all suspected or confirmed cases must be immediately reported to the CFIA.

Under the CFIA's National Aquatic Animal Health Programme, suspected federally reportable diseases such as infectious salmon anaemia must be confirmed at the DFO national reference laboratory.

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