Salmon disease surveillance in British Columbia

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has begun its surveillance initiative to determine the status of three federally reportable aquatic diseases; infectious haematopoietic necrosis, infectious pancreatic necrosis and infectious salmon anaemia in British Columbia.

The Agency is leading the surveillance with support from many organizations including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, B.C.’s Ministry of Agriculture, First Nations groups, salmonid enhancement program hatcheries, the processing and aquaculture sector, and non-profit organizations such as the Freshwater Fisheries Society of British Columbia, among others.

As part of this initiative, collection targeting mostly juvenile and maturing Pacific salmon and steelhead trout spawners is underway. During the fall of 2012, collection will focus on spawning adult Pacific salmon. Fish are collected primarily from processing plants, enhancement hatcheries, spawning channels, fish counting fences, and research cruises.

For farmed salmon, the Agency is evaluating the testing conducted over the last five years by the aquaculture industry and governments. Following this evaluation, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency may conduct additional testing of farmed salmon as required.

The collected samples are being sent for testing to the National Aquatic Animal Health Laboratories, which are using internationally accepted testing protocols. Fish samples will be screened using a test method called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Any positive results will be further analyzed using cell culture.

If one of the three diseases is confirmed, the Agency may:

  • conduct further testing as required,
  • place movement controls on harvested wild salmon,
  • launch an investigation to determine the source of the disease,
  • require the humane destruction and disposal of infected fish,
  • oversee cleaning and disinfecting at affected facilities,
  • implement quarantines on affected facilities.

The Agency updates confirmed cases of reportable aquatic animal diseases monthly. In order to receive these updates, you are encouraged to subscribe to the Email Notification Services: Animal Information.

Additional Information