The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet in its Norwegian name) has reported a suspected outbreak of infectious salmon anemia (ISA) at a SalMar facility. The announcement made today, Monday, January 16, says that last Friday, January 13, the salmon company reported "findings compatible with ISA on fish at location 31797 Fartøyvika".
According to the statement, the suspicion is based on positive test results (PCR) taken in connection with a fish health visit to the site. The Authority carried out an inspection of the plant earlier today with the aim of taking follow-up samples to possibly confirm the disease diagnosis.
The sea site location 31797 Fartøyvika where the suspected ISA disease has been found is in the municipality of Måsøy, in the county of Troms and Finnmark. Therefore, "everyone who travels in the area and carries out activities related to fish farming must show the necessary care so that the spread of any disease is avoided", said the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
In addition, to limit the spread of infection, restrictions have been imposed on the site, including a ban on moving fish without special permission. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the site may even be ordered to be emptied.
"If the suspicion is confirmed, a restriction zone will be established shortly to prevent, limit and combat ISA", continues the statement from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. A restriction zone consists of a protection zone and a surveillance zone and entails restrictions on, among other things, traffic in the maritime area around the sea site.
If such a restricted zone is confirmed, local adaptations based on localities in the area, distance conditions and current conditions, etc will be used as a basis for setting the extent of the restricted zone. According to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the restricted zone must be expected to have an extent of approx. 10 – 20 km from localities with ISA.
