The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is testing wild salmon off the coast of British Columbia to determine the status of infectious haematopoietic necrosis, infectious pancreatic necrosis and infectious salmon anaemia.
While these diseases are no risk to human health, they are highly contagious and can cause mortality in wild and aquaculture salmon.
Infectious haematopoietic necrosis is known to exist in certain species and populations of wild finfish in British Columbia. The surveillance initiative will determine its presence in certain species and populations of wild finfish in British Columbia. Infectious pancreatic necrosis and infectious salmon anaemia have not been confirmed in British Columbia.
Approximately 5,000 wild salmon will be collected annually for a minimum of two years and the ongoing testing of farmed salmon will also be evaluated.
All disease testing, as well as any activities undertaken to respond to confirmed cases, will follow international guidelines and national aquatic animal health requirements.
Any confirmed disease cases will be reported on a monthly basis through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's website as is done for all terrestrial and aquatic reportable diseases.
