Mowi facing possible double ISA blow

According to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, two suspected cases within a week of each other have been flagged up at farms in Namsos municipality in Trondelag County.

 

In the latest incident, Mowi Seawater Norway notified the Food Safety Authority yesterday that it has discovered findings consistent with ISA in fish at the Bjørgan site in Flatanger municipality in Trøndelag.

 

The suspicions are, as usual, based on positive analysis results (PCR) after sampling fish at the location.

 

The Food Safety Authority said it is planning an inspection of the facility soon to take follow-up samples that will be sent to the Veterinary Institute for possible confirmation of the disease ISA.

 

Meanwhile, in order to limit the spread of infection, restrictions have been imposed on the site, including a ban on moving fish without a special permit.

 

The results of the tests should be known in the next few days and if the presence of the virus is confirmed, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority may order the site, or parts of the site, to be emptied.

 

Last week suspected ISA was reported at another, nearby Mowi site in Trondelag. The results of those tests are awaited.

 

In cases where ISA suspicion is confirmed, a restriction zone is established to prevent, contain and combat ISA.

 

These two suspected outbreaks are the first in Norway for several weeks. ISA is harmless to humans, but can be very costly for the companies when infections are confirmed.