Norwegian Food Safety Authority was notified following findings from initial an PCR analysis.
Norwegian salmon producing giant SalMar has reported a suspected outbreak of Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA) at its aquaculture site, 30437 Kattholmen II, in Frøya Municipality, Trøndelag.
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority was notified following findings from initial PCR analysis that suggested the presence of ISA in the fish at this location, according to a release issued by the authority on Wednesday.
ISA is a viral disease that can result in serious economic losses in the salmon farming industry.
The virus can cause severe anaemia in salmon due to the bursting of red blood cells. Clinical signs in infected fish can include lethargy, swimming close to the water surface or the sides of cages, pale gills, swollen abdomen, and sometimes, internal and external haemorrhaging.
Kattholmen II, which operates jointly as an infectious disease unit with another facility at location 14042 Kattholmen, shares boats and equipment between the two sites, leading authorities to extend the suspicion of ISA to both locations.
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority plans to conduct a thorough inspection and will collect additional samples from the facility to be analyzed by the Veterinary Institute to confirm the presence of the disease.
The disease is a concern for aquaculture operations because of its potential to cause high mortality rates and its impact on fish health and farm productivity.
