FACTS

Development in the health situation of farmed

salmonids since 1990

Diseases are naturally occurring in all animals, including aquaculture animals.

Intensive production is often correlated to an increase in disease outbreaks. Although
Norwegian aquaculture of salmonids is still to be considered a young and continuously
evolving industry, there is a positive trend with regard to infectious diseases.

Since 1990 the production of salmonids (salmon and trout) has

increased more than fourfold (tons slaughtered fish), while the References
number of disease outbreaks has declined by 30%. This was despite
the fact that 2008 figures included new diseases that were unknown
The health situation in farmed
in 1990. fish in Norway 2007 and 2008
(National Veterinary Institute)
Due to the close and fruitful collaboration between the authorities, scientists Surveillance and control
and the industry, new diseases have been identified, effective vaccines have programs for terrestrial and
been developed and general hygienic principles for disease prevention have aquatic animals in Norway,
been implemented. Annual report 2006
(National Veterinary Institute)
Annual report 2003
The most important contagious loss-making diseases (National Veterinary Institute)
Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA): Decline in ISA from 98 outbreaks in 1990 to 17 The Animal Health and Disease
Status in Norway 2003
outbreaks in 2008. This is more than the double of outbreaks in 2007, but still close
(Norwegian Food Safety
to the estimated annual rate of 10 -15 outbreaks. ISA is a disease that is considered Authority)
to be under control, although there is some fluctuation in the number of outbreaks Fish Health and Fish diseases;
from one year to the next. This is mainly due to the development of diagnostic tools (Universitetsforlaget AS 1999,
and very strict preventive hygiene measures that where applied at the end of the ISBN 82-00-12718-4)
1980s. ISA is considered to be a low level endemic disease in Norway. Animal Health Standards in
Norway (Royal Ministry of
Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD): Decline in BKD from 77 outbreaks in 1990 to 1 Agriculture Norway, 1994)
outbreak at a broodstock farm in 2008. The affected fish was destroyed to eradicate Fish Health and Fish diseases
the disease. In May 2008 a surveillance programme for BKD in Norway was approved, (Special issue, Norsk
with the aim of enabling Norway to be classified as a BKD free zone. Veterinærtidsskrift nr 6, 1989)

June 2009 - Norwegian Seafood Federation | www.fhl.no/english | firmapost@fhl.no

Pancreas Disease (PD): Increase in PD from 5 outbreaks in 1995 to 108 outbreaks in
2008. PD is a serious viral disease causing big losses. PD was diagnosed back in the Increased knowledge –
1980s and the number of outbreaks is still increasing. The disease has been diagnosed
in several counties along the Western coast of Norway, with Hordaland being the
new methods
focal point, and also in northern parts of Norway. The industry and authorities have There has been a rapid
developed action plans with the aim of controlling PD and reducing the number of development in knowledge and
outbreaks. Vaccines have been on the market since autumn 2008, but the availability competence; in 1989 the
infectious agent for ISA was
is limited.
still not identified. Diseases
like PD and HSMI were not
Heart and Skeleton Muscle Inflammation (HSMI): Increase in HSMI from 54 outbreaks diagnosed and the cause was
in 2004 to 144 outbreaks in 2008. HSMI was diagnosed for the first time in 1999 in of course unknown.
Trøndelag and Mid-Norway is still the focal point, but the disease occurs now along
the whole coastline. The disease agent is still unknown, but is suspected to be a • Today there are effective
virus. The disease develops over a long time and occurs often in combination with vaccines for ISA and PD.
other diseases, resulting in a moderate mortality varying from 4 to 15%.
• Vaccines have reduced
Furunculosis, Vibriosis and Cold-Water Vibriosis: Decline in furunculosis from 255 significant health
outbreaks in 1990 to 0 outbreaks in 2008. 2 outbreaks of vibriosis in trout in 2008. problems due to winter
The well-known bacterial diseases furunculosis, vibriosis and cold-water vibriosis ulcer and other bacterial
were considered to be endemic in Norway at the beginning of the 1990s. The diseases infections in aquaculture
of salmonids.
are now well controlled by effective vaccines. Around 2002 there was an increase in
reported outbreaks of vibriosis, since outbreaks of vibriosis in farmed cod were
• With regard to HSMI, CMS
included in the numbers. and other new diseases,
intensive research is in
Infectious Pacreatic Necrosis (IPN): The number of IPN outbreaks is still at progress to identify risk
approximately the same level: 168 outbreaks in 1990 compared with 158 outbreaks in factors, identify and
2008. IPN is a disease causing significant losses, and although there has been a lot of characterize the disease
research, effective preventive measures are still lacking. agent, develop diagnostic
tools and vaccines.
Status of other contagious diseases There will be a great demand
IHN: Never recorded. Norway is a disease-free zone. for research and development
VHS: Outbreaks reported in 1974 and 2007. Norway has the status of a disease free also in the future. One of the
zone, except for a buffer zone along the border with Russia and a zone around the biggest challenges will be
outbreak in 2007. identifying and investigating
EHN: Never recorded. new emerging diseases in new
aquaculture species.
Winter ulcer: For many years, winter ulcer has caused severe losses in salmon and
rainbow trout aquaculture, and in 2008 the number of reported outbreaks was 2008.
Diseases are an important
The cause is still not fully understood, but Moritella viscosa is considered to be the
factor accounting for major
most important agent. Vaccines are now available, and the numbers of outbreaks and losses in aquaculture. The aim
the severe losses in infected farms have been reduced. is to minimise the extent.

Infection with Flavobacterium psychrofilum: A raise from 3 outbreaks in 2004 to 16

in 2008. This systemic infection is mainly diagnosed in young rainbow trout (fry). None of the diseases
mentioned in the fact sheet
CMS: 75 outbreaks were reported in 2008, approximately the same as in previous represent a risk for human
years (85 outbreaks in 2007).The disease occurs mainly in large salmon ready to be health. Diseased fish is
slaughtered, causing severe losses. Virus is most probably causing the disease. never placed on the market
for human consumption.
New disease: Along the western coast of Norway 25 outbreaks have been diagnosed.
The disease is characterized by a prolonged development and high mortality. Ongoing
research is aiming to identify the cause of the disease.
Department
Health and
General preventive hygiene measures Quality
Since 1989, general preventive hygiene and risk mitigation measures have
Gunn Harriet Knutsen
gradually been implemented in aquaculture, these include:
gunn.knutsen@fhl.no
• Minimum distance between aquaculture farms and to establishments
Tlf. 951 47 831
slaughtering aquaculture animals
• Mandatory health surveillance scheme
• Daily uptake and recording of dead fish
• Minimum time for fallowing
• Health requirements for transport and the placing on the market of live
aquaculture animals
• Disinfection of effluents from slaughterhouses and processing facilities
• Disinfection of intake water in hatcheries

June 2009 - Norwegian Seafood Federation | www.fhl.no/english | firmapost@fhl.no