This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Infectious Salmon Anaemia
19/11/2004
The Executive today announced that the presence of
Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) is suspected at Marine
Harvest's Loch Sheilavaig salmon farm in South Uist.
Fisheries Research Services Fish Health Inspectors are
currently investigating the affected farm.
Statutory restrictions are in place controlling the
movement into and out of the farm of all fish.
Marine Harvest are working with SEERAD to minimise any
risk and ensure the health of their fish.
The EC Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal
Welfare has concluded that there is no evidence of risk to
human health from ISA.
ISA is notifiable under European and domestic fish
health legislation, which requires measures to eradicate
rather than control the disease. An outbreak was confirmed
in Scotland in 1998 and eradication measures including
clearance of infected sites and controls on movements of
fish in affected areas has succeeded in preventing further
outbreaks.
Signs of ISA include high mortality rates, darkening of
the liver, severe anaemia and internal haemorrhage.