Salmon with cases of infectious salmon anemia were discovered at a Northern Harvest Sea Farms site in Newfoundland, Canada, according to officials with the Newfoundland and Labrador government.
The infected salmon were discovered at the company’s site in Spyglass Cove, located near the community of Pool’s Cove on the south coast of Newfoundland. As soon as ISA was found at the site, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was notified and the fish were all immediately harvested, as required by regulatory standards, according to the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Land Resources.
“Our officials detected [ISA] at the Spyglass Cove site and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was notified. The company depopulated the site according to biosecure Standard Operating Procedures,” the DFLR said in a statement.
The discovery of ISA marks the third case in the region since October 2017. The infectious disease is not harmful to human health, according to the CFIA, but can cause death rates as high as 90 percent in affected populations.
Since the discovery, the provincial government said it will follow its normal post-detection policy.
“When a detection occurs, enhanced surveillance with increased visits to sites are initiated,” the DFLR said. “Newfoundland and Labrador adheres to sustainable aquaculture best practices and biosecurity.”
