Expert consultation on risk factors for introduction of infectious pathogens into fish farms.
An expert consultation was conducted to provide quantitative parameters required to inform risk-based surveillance of aquaculture holdings for selected infectious hazards. The hazards were four fish diseases endemic in some or several European countries: infectious salmon anaemia (ISA), viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS), infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN), and koi herpes virus disease (KHD). Experts were asked to provide estimates for the relative importance of 5 risk themes for the hazard to be introduced into and infect susceptible fish at the destination. The 5 risk themes were: (1) live fish and egg movements; (2) exposure via water; (3) on-site processing; (4) short distance mechanical transmission and (5) distance independent mechanical transmission. The experts also provided parameter estimates for hazard transmission pathways within the themes. The expert consultation was undertaken in a 2 step approach: an online survey followed by an expert consultation meeting. The expert opinion indicated that live fish movements and exposure via water were the major relevant risk themes. Experts were recruited from several European countries and thus covered a range of farming systems. Therefore, the outputs from the expert consultation have relevance for the European context.
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Birgit.Oidtmann@cefas.co.uk.
Birgit C
BC
Oidtmann
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, United Kingdom.
Edmund J
EJ
Peeler
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, United Kingdom.
Mark A
MA
Thrush
AusVet Animal Health Services, 140 Falls Road, Wentworth Falls 2782, NSW, Australia.
Angus R
AR
Cameron
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, United Kingdom.
R Allan
RA
Reese
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, United Kingdom; Ministry for Primary Industries, Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, Wellington 6011, New Zealand.
Fiona M
FM
Pearce
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, United Kingdom.
Peter
P
Dunn
Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Pb 750 Sentrum, 0106 Oslo, Norway.
Trude M
TM
Lyngstad
Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Pb 750 Sentrum, 0106 Oslo, Norway.
Saraya
S
Tavornpanich
Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Pb 750 Sentrum, 0106 Oslo, Norway.
Edgar
E
Brun
Department of Production and Population Health, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA, United Kingdom.
Katharina D C
KD
Stärk
D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D005399:Fishes; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Expert consultation; Fish; Pathogen introduction; Risk factor; Risk ranking