Cooke Aquaculture Pacific has been forced by officials in the US state of Washington to destroy a batch of 800,000 juvenile Atlantic salmon for the second time in a year because they carried an “exotic” strain of Piscine Orthoreovirus (PRV), according to a report in the Seattle Times.

Scientists have developed a vaccine against Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) that has been seen to give effective protection against disease and injuries caused by the pathogen.

Cooke Aquaculture Pacific has been left with 800,000 juvenile Atlantic salmon in need of a home after officials in Washington state in the United States refused permission to transport the fish to net pens.

Scientists investigating a virus first discovered in rainbow trout in Norway in 2013 have ascertained that trout are more likely to suffer ill effects than Atlantic salmon.