New research project on transmission routes and infection dynamics for salmonid alphavirus (SAV)
Salmon with Pancreas Disease.
Photo: AB Olsen, NVI
Outbreaks of pancreas disease, PD, cause large economic losses for the salmonid farming industry in northern Europe. The geographical area in which PD occurs in Norway has increased significantly in recent years. A research project with the aim of investigating how the causal virus, SAV, is dispersed within and between sites, was recently started. The
The project consortium consists of researchers from the National Veterinary Institute, PatoGen Analyse AS, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Norwegian Computing Center, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Marine Harvest Norway AS and Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast. The project ”Transmission routes and infection dynamics of salmonid alphavirus (SAV)” is partly financed by the Research Council of Norway (project no. 190484/S40) and will run for 3 years. The first project meeting was held in Ålesund, Norway on June 2nd and 3rd.
The main focus of the project will be on transmission of SAV from fish to fish during the seawater phase. Laboratory studies on survival of the virus in seawater and its ability to infect fish under various conditions will be performed. The importance of parent-to-offspring transmission of SAV will also be evaluated in the project. Advanced models will be developed based on laboratory trials, current measurements and field studies. Once the models are tested, they will be available for use by the farming industry, governing authorities and researchers for explaining and predicting virus dispersal and outbreaks of contagious diseases, including PD, in fish farming.
Contact person NVI:
Dr. Edgar Brun
tlf 23 21 60 90
email: edgar.brun@vetinst.no
