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Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Reports

Formal report series, containing results of research and monitoring carried out by Marine Scotland Science

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Report into the Epidemiology and Control of an Outbreak of Infectious Salmon Anaemia in the Shetland Islands, Scotland

Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Vol 1 No 4

An outbreak of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) in the Scottish Shetland Islands during 2008/9 is described during which six sites were confirmed ISAV positive. Spread of the virus via movement of fish between marine sites, harvest vessels, movements of smolts and wild fish appear to have been of little or no importance. The spread is associated with hydrodynamic currents, although local intra-company activity may have caused some spread. The application of a statutory control strategy by Marine Scotland, based on the use of its established model (Anon 2000) has apparently limited the occurrence and economic impact of ISA to management area 3a; however spread within this area has been extensive. This localised waterborne spread is in contradiction to a previous outbreak in 1998/9 which was spread over a wide geographic area by transport of fish and harvest vessels. The development of industry codes of practice and good biosecurity procedures, following the 1998/9 outbreak, that limited marine site-to-site movement of live fish and improved disinfection of vessels and processing plant waste, may explain why the 2008/9 spread of infection was localised. Depopulation of confirmed sites is a key element of eradication and this was achieved within 7 weeks of confirmation, although the last confirmed case suggests subclinical infection may persist undetected for months. The potential sources of ISAV infection that were investigated did not determine the origin of the 2008/9 outbreak. Local evolution from an avirulent strain of ISAV; importation of ova; or association with movement of equipment could have caused the outbreak. The virus responsible for the 2008/9 outbreak belongs to a different genogroup (group 1) to the 1998/9 virus (group 3). The intensive cultivation of salmon farming, close proximity of sites and historic absence of synchronous fallowing of management areas is considered to have increased the risk of disease outbreaks and their re-emergence, such as ISA in the Shetland Islands. A policy of synchronous fallowing and stocking of sites within management area 3a is being considered by industry in consultation with Marine Scotland to address this risk. Where movement of fish occurs between sites in 1 different management areas, this represents the greatest risk of regional-scale spread of diseases such as ISA. Controls appear to have been effective in minimising that risk.

doi: 
10.7489/1505-1
Citation: 
A G Murray, L A Munro, I S Wallace, M Hall, D Pendrey, D, I Fraser, B Berx, E S Munro, C E T Allan, M Snow, R McIntosh, D W Bruno, P A Noguera, D Smail & R S Raynard. 2010. Report into the Epidemiology and Control of an Outbreak of Infectious Salmon Anaemia in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Vol 1 No 4. Edinburgh: Scottish Government, 44pp.
FieldValue
Publisher
Modified
2020-01-07
Release Date
2014-10-21
Identifier
f4e58247-f051-435a-942a-e6239f232313
Spatial / Geographical Coverage Location
Shetland
Temporal Coverage
2010-01-01
License
UK Open Government Licence (OGL)
Author
A G Murray, L A Munro, I S Wallace, M Hall, D Pendrey, D, I Fraser, B Berx, E S Munro, C E T Allan, M Snow, R McIntosh, D W Bruno, P A Noguera, D Smail & R S Raynard.
Data Dictionary

This report describes a second outbreak of ISA in Scotland that occurred during 2008/9. This has been geographically confined to a relatively small area in the southwest of the Shetland Islands, (Anon 2009a). Six infected sites were confirmed and depopulated; the management area (MA) then underwent a synchronised fallowing. However, controls on the MA remain in place until a 2 year programme of surveillance and testing has been completed to allow the Shetland Islands MA 3a to be re-declared as part of the UK ISA free zone. Scottish Government policy is to confine and eradicate ISA, in accordance with EU Council Directive 2006/88/EC, and to take appropriate measures to regain and maintain its disease-free status.

Contact Name
Marine Scotland Science Enquiries
Contact Email
Public Access Level
Public