Aquatic Animal Biosecurity: A Case Study of Bioexclusion of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus in an Atlantic Salmon Hatchery

Few papers focus on the application of biosecurity principles to the daily operations at aquatic facilities. This discussion will address the gap by presenting a case study idealized from a real-life situation. A large North American salmon farm company requested assistance to prevent the introduction of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (VHSV) into one of its Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) hatcheries. A systematic, disciplined approach was used that included risk assessment and infectious disease control principles. The hatchery’s operations were analyzed for potential pathogen (VHSV) introduction using knowledge of the facility’s physical layout and the operational process flow. Possible routes of introduction were identified by tracing the typical movements of animals (fish, eggs), water, fomites, vectors, and feed. Mitigation measures for identified gaps were proposed that were based on pathogen characteristics.