ISA suspected at two Norwegian sites

Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) looks to have returned to Norway following an absence of several weeks.

Two suspected cases have been identified in recent days, with salmon giant SalMar one of the companies.

The first was in Vestland County at a site farmed by Sjøtroll Havbruk Sjø AS.

The company contacted the Norwegian Food Safety Authority last week to confirm that its findings were compatible with the presence of ISA, following tests carried out on a number of fish. Samples have now been sent to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute for further tests and possible confirmation of suspicions.

The possible SalMar incident is at a site in the Frøya municipality in the Trondelag region.

SalMar notified the Food Safety Authority of its suspicions on Monday, again based on the results of analysis carried out at the site and samples have been sent to the Veterinary Institute for confirmation.

The usual restrictions are being put into place, including cordoning off the possible infected areas and a ban on certain movements. It is also likely to mean the culling of fish at those farms.

Both suspicions, if confirmed, will be disappointing for the Norwegian salmon sector which has been relatively free of ISA so far this year, although suspected cases were identified at Lerøy and Benchmark sites at the beginning of the year.

ISA is not harmful to humans, but it can be devastating for the infected fish and very expensive for companies because it usually means the premature culling of fish.