Publication Abstract

Emerging viral diseases of cyprinids

P.F. Dixon

Previously unknown pathogens of fish, and pathogens of fish thought to be of little consequence, may appear or assume a greater significance to aquaculture or to fish in the natural environment.  Virus diseases of cyprinids are no exception, and new diseases frequently emerge.  This presentation will review some of those diseases, and discuss possible reasons for their emergence, looking at examples from those diseases.  Diseases reviewed will include goldfish herpesvirus, “Asian” strains of spring viraemia of carp virus, putative myxovirus, poxvirus, coronavirus and others.  Reasons for the emergence of the diseases can be complex.  One of the main reasons may be the translocation of the pathogen bringing it into contact with susceptible fish, or conversely, culture of susceptible species in a new location that exposes them to a pathogen they have not previously encountered.  Changes in management practices can also affect the susceptibility of fish to disease, or the stress of long distance transportation may cause the expression of latent virus in seemingly healthy fish.  Developments in diagnostic methods may also make the diagnostician realise that a specific virus is the cause of previously unattributable mortalities, particularly in the case of chronic mortalities that have been accepted by aquaculturists as an unavoidable part of the production cycle.

Reference:

P.F. Dixon (Not yet published) Emerging viral diseases of cyprinids. 5th International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health, September 2-6, 2006, San Francisco, USA