The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) reported a new case of suspected pancreas disease (PD) in the protected zone established following the detection of PD in Ystøya in September this year. This time, the affected farm is site 18936 Igerøy Ø, which is located in the municipality of Vega, also in Nordland county, and is operated by Nova Sea.
It was the company itself, Nova Sea, that notified the Norwegian Food Safety Authority two days ago, on November 29, about the suspected PD, after its own analysis came back positive for the virus. Mattilsynet collected confirmatory samples yesterday, November 30, which will later be tested by the Norwegian Veterinary Institute.
"If the Veterinary Institute's analyses confirm the presence of PD at the facility, we will decide on rapid culling since the site is located in an area where PD needs to be eradicated to prevent its establishment," said Geir Arne Ystmark, regional director in Mattilsynet's Northern Region.
Although the Authority has not reported specific data on the fish if the cull is finally ordered, up to 4,500 tons could be affected, as this is the capacity of site 18936 Igerøy Ø operated by Nova Sea. According to Barentswatch data, the company raises salmon, trout, and rainbow trout.
In the meantime, as usual after this type of suspicion, the site is subject to restrictions, including a ban on moving fish to avoid the possible spread of the disease. Mattilsynet reminds that anyone who is in the area and performs activities related to fish farming should act with the necessary caution to avoid the possible spread of the disease.
PD is a viral disease that impairs the health and welfare of fish so that they stop eating, their growth is stunted and can lead to high mortality, as well as making them more susceptible to other diseases. Although, as the Norwegian Food Safety Authority points out, this is a salmon disease of no importance to human health, it is important to prevent further transmission to other installations.
This is the fourth case of pancreas disease recorded in Nordland so far this fall. The first, which marked the restriction zone that is still in place, affected site 45003 at Ystøya operated by LetSea in September. The next two were recorded in November at two sites operated by Mowi, Mefaldskjæret site 10447 and Blomsøråsa site 31857.
Mattilsynet will soon evaluate whether it is necessary to extend the existing restriction zone. As required by regulations, local considerations such as the number of sites in the area, the distance, the flow conditions, etc., will be taken into account in determining the extent of the restriction zone. Typically, it would have a range of approximately 30 km from confirmed PD outbreaks.
In addition, it is mandatory to monitor fish farming facilities located within the same 30 km catchment area by extended sampling within seven days. Once again, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority recalled fish farmers in the area sampling is their responsibility.
