A possible outbreak of the infectious viral disease infectious salmon anemia (ISA) at a Mowi farming site in Aukrasanden, western Norway, was reported to Mattilsynet, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the Bergen-headquartered group has confirmed.
Mowi notified the authority about the suspected presence of ISA at Aukrasanden on 15 April after it analyzed some routine samples. New verifying samples were taken on 16 April.
As is standard procedure, Mattilsynet issued a public statement regarding the possible outbreak. This said that in order to prevent the possible spread of infection, the site is now subject to restrictions, with a prohibition on moving fish without special permission.
If the ISA diagnosis is ratified, the authority will impose an emptying of the site, believed to contain up to 1.3 million salmon.
Mowi told SeafoodSource that it is now working closely with authorities on this issue and will await the confirmed diagnosis before further comment.
