Second case of Infectious Salmon Anaemia detected in Shetland

The presence of Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) virus has been confirmed on a second salmon farm in the Burra area west of Shetland.  This farm lies within the control zone that was established on the 2 January 2009 when the first case of ISA was confirmed at a fish farm also in the Burra area west of Shetland. Control zones were established around the first confirmed infected site, and a surveillance zone set up around the control zone.  Scott Landsburgh, Chief Executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) said: “As the farm lies within the existing control zone all the appropriate biosecurity precautions are already in place and we continue to work closely alongside the Fisheries Research Services inspectors and key authorities to manage the situation. We are aware that no fish have been moved in or out of this site since April 2008 and remain confident that this virus outbreak is contained within the control and surveillance zone. The Scottish industry has a good, internationally recognised, record in fish health and welfare and it is very important to us that we get back on track as quickly as possible.” Mr Landsburgh also stressed that the presence of the virus does not mean that clinical disease is present, and indeed, fish tested did not show any clinical symptoms of the disease.   However, FRS are bound to take action as a precaution.