From: “Dr. David Scarfe”
Date: 13 June 2012 4:45:03 PDT
Subject: AquaVetMed: BC Salmon Farms Confirmed Negative for IHN
All BC Salmon Farms Confirmed Negative for IHN Virus
June 13, 2012
Vancouver, Canada – In a further public update, it is now confirmed that independent tests on all active Atlantic salmon farm sites in BC have come back negative for the Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) virus. The independent tests were part of the immediate organised follow-up by farmers to a finding of the IHN virus on a farm north of Tofino in mid-May.
“Our farmers are still paying close attention to their fish and there continues to be additional testing – but these results are welcome news for our members who work hard each day to protect the health of their fish,” said Mary Ellen Walling, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association. IHN is an endemic virus found naturally in the Pacific Ocean. The virus can be carried by wild salmon, trout and herring, however studies have shown that because of their historical exposure to it, they have a natural resistance to it. Atlantic salmon can be highly susceptible to the virus and it can cause high mortalities on farm sites
In mid-May, Mainstream Canada found IHN in two pens of their Dixon Bay farm. The company responded swiftly, working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to quarantine the site and remove the fish as quickly as possible. “Mainstream has really been an exemplary leader in this situation – they quickly made the right decisions that likely helped in protecting all of the other farms, and they set a high bar when it comes to sharing their information with the public,” said Ms Walling.
A viral management plan developed by the BCSFA for its Atlantic-salmon growing members was enacted immediately and … … … .
See the source (http://tinyurl.com/6v2rshv) for the full story.
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