The Marine Institute implements a fish health monitoring programme which tests for diseases listed under Directive 2006/88/EC and other aquatic diseases of national importance.
Diseases listed under Directive 2006/88/EC
Exotic diseases are not currently found within the EU and must be eradicated. Non-exotic diseases are generally confined to certain parts of the Community, whilst other areas remain free. The approach to the eradication of non-exotic diseases, should they appear in Ireland, will be decided by the Competent Authority, on a case-by-case basis.
| Exotic Diseases |
Fish |
Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis |
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Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome |
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Molluscs |
Bonamia exitiosa |
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|
Perkinsus marinus |
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|
Microcytos mackini |
|
Crustaceans |
Taura Syndrome |
|
|
Yellowhead Disease |
| Non-exotic Diseases |
Fish |
Koi Herpesvirus |
|
|
Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia |
|
|
Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis |
|
|
Infectious Salmon Anaemia |
|
Molluscs |
Martelia refringens |
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|
Bonamia ostreae |
|
Crustaceans |
White Spot Disease |
In addition to the exotic diseases listed above, Ireland is free of the following:
A national surveillance programme will be established shortly in relation to Koi Herpes Virus and Whitespot Disease. Although there have not been any reports of either disease in farmed or wild aquatic animals, a testing programme must be established to confirm Ireland’s disease status with respect to these pathogens.
Ireland has additional guarantees granted under Commission Decision 2004/453/EC to protect our aquatic animal health against the following diseases which are monitored by the Fish Health Unit.
Other Diseases
Apart from the diseases listed under EU legislation, the Fish Health Unit also routinely tests for other diseases which are of economic importance in Ireland. These include finfish diseases such as Pancreas Disease (PD), Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis(IPN) (PDF, 28Kb), Furunculosis, Enteric Redmouth and Vibriosis and shellfish diseases such as Brown Ring Disease, Herpes Virus and Withering Syndrome. The control of these diseases is non-statutory and should be agreed between the farmer and his/her veterinary practitioner.
For more information please contact:
Shellfish Health Manager: Deborah Cheslett
Molecular Biology Manager: Dr. Kathy Henshilwood
Finfish Health Manager: Dr. Neil Ruane