Sernapesca: ISA virus has not spread to new sites

Christian Perez Juan Luis Ansoleaga, director of the National Service of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Sernapesca, confirmed that the presence of the disease has been ruled out in the 'High Security Zone', corresponding to a radius of 16.2 nautical miles around the first detected outbreak of the Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA). "In this area inspections were conducted at 28 farming sites categorized as 'at risk'. The presence of the virus or any clinical signs of disease have not been detected", he said. Besides, the authority explained that until this week Sernapesca had inspected 90% of the 64 farming sites with Atlantic salmon (species susceptible to the disease) in the Macrozone 6, area defined as in 'Sanitary Emergency'. Mr Ansoleaga highlighted the high speed of response and reaction after the detection of the disease, which allowed them to take timely control and containment measures necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. "However, it is still a care situation", he said. Therefore, the Authority will continue applying strict controls to all movements within the area, surveillance in all farming sites depending on their risk level, sampling every 15 days, biosecurity control in salmon processing plants, wellboats and unloading sites for mortalities.