Refinement of an Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis virus dispersion model for the Discovery Islands area and an extension to west coast of Vancouver Island

Description

Since the introduction of Atlantic Salmon to the BC coast in the mid 1980's there have been two serious outbreaks of Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) virus in farmed Atlantic Salmon: 1992-1996 and 2001-2003. In the latter outbreak, thirty-six farm sites representing both east and west coast regions of Vancouver Island, were diagnosed with IHNV. The estimated economic loss resulting from both epizootics was $40 million in inventory representing $200 million in lost sales. A central question regarding outbreaks in farmed Atlantic Salmon is the role of natural waterborne transmission in the spread of virus between farms. Studies investigating spatial and temporal patterns of the IHNV outbreaks suggest that farming practices themselves contributed significantly to the spread of disease both within and between areas; however the extent to which waterborne transmission contributes to virus dispersal during an outbreak is unclear. As research conducted under ACRDP # P-09-03-006 provided a baseline for the establishment of the first viral dispersion model, this study seeks to further these studies as described herein to refine the biological measurements of the established viral dispersion model.

Program Name

Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP)

Year(s)

2011 - 2011

Ecoregion(s)

Pacific: Vancouver Island West Coast

Principal Investigator(s)

Kyle Garver
Email: Kyle.Garver@dfo-mpo.gc.ca