Evaluating the pathogenicity of a novel hepevirus isolated from farmed Atlantic salmon in British Columbia

FHTT-2019-P-04

Description

Discoveries of novel pathogens increase our knowledge of the diversity of microbes in our aquatic environments but create questions on the pathogenic threat they pose. For instance, what aquatic organisms does the new pathogen infects and how is it transmitted? A recent discovery of a new hepevirus infection in Atlantic salmon has raised the question as to what effect (if any) this virus has on the health of farmed and wild salmon. FHTT-2019-P-04 will seek to characterize this new aquatic virus with the aim of determining the virus’s capacity to infect and cause disease in Atlantic and Pacific salmon species. Understanding the disease causing potential of this new virus is essential to ensuring responsible and sustainable aquaculture industries in Canada.

Program Name

Program for Aquaculture Regulatory Research (PARR)

Years

2019 to 2020

Principal investigator

Kyle Garver
Research scientist, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, B.C.
Email: Kyle.Garver@dfo-mpo.gc.ca