A two-year intensive testing initiative by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has found no evidence of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) or infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) in wild salmon on the west coast of Canada.
Between 2012 and 2013, 8,006 samples of trout and salmon species were collected. All of the samples were tested for ISA, 6,734 were tested for IPN, and 1,272 were tested for infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN). All tests were negative. The tests were performed using internationally recognised and validated testing protocols.
The CFIA also evaluated existing surveillance data for farmed salmon in BC and found no current or historical evidence of ISA or IPN in these populations. The evaluation analysed data collected from 2006 to 2011 through provincial and federal programs as well as from routine monitoring and testing by industry.
The CFIA is currently testing farmed salmon in BC for non-pathogenic ISA to confirm they are free of the disease. Testing for other diseases in wild and farmed finfish in BC is also planned.
"The CFIA is committed to protecting fish health – both wild and farmed,” said Dr Ian Alexander – Executive Director, Animal Health Science Directorate, CFIA. "These collective findings are good news for the aquatic industry in BC and the Canadian economy as a whole. We will continue to keep Canadians informed of our work surrounding this important Canadian resource."
