ISA suspected at farm with 925,000 salmon

THE Norwegian salmon company Midt-Norsk Havbruk (MNH) is facing a potentially serious threat over a suspected infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) outbreak at one of its largest sites.

Investigations are currently under way at the MNH Kvingra farm in central Norway which has close on a million fish, according to reports.

The suspicions are yet to be confirmed, but if they prove correct the cost could be very large as the site is home to 925,000 salmon with an average weight of 3.6kg. Infected cages will have to be emptied and the fish culled.

Further tests will be carried out, and if ISA is present then travel and other restrictions will come into force to prevent further spread.

It is hoped that any infection can be contained. MNH said it was waiting for confirmation from the new tests, adding that the consequences were difficult to estimate. It will continue to map the possible extent of any infection.

A suspected ISA case was reported at a Norway Royal Salmon site in the Troms and Finnmark region in September. Confirmation is awaited.

After a period of several weeks without an outbreak, ISA appears to be returning to parts of Norway with a vengeance.