Experiences and lessons from emergency aquatic animal disease investigations

Transboundary aquatic animal diseases (TAADs) highly contagious/transmissible (infectious!) potential for very rapid spread irrespective of national borders (no passport!) cause serious socio-economic consequences (high risk and high impact!) OIE lists more than 30 aquatic pathogens/diseases which fit established criteria for listed diseases in terms of consequence, spread and diagnosis (important to trade!) one of the negative impacts trade globalization (important pathway!)

Health and aquatic animals Aquatic animals require more atte ntion in order to monitor their health – not readily visible except in tank holding conditions, live in complex and dynamic environment – feed consumption and mortalities are hidden under water Wide range of diversity in terms of species, systems, practices and environment – different types of risks

Health and aquatic animals Range of diseases are also varied – some disease with low or unknown specificity – many with non-specific symptoms Complexity of aquatic systems makes distinction between health, sub-optimal performance and disease obscure Disease considered as the most important challenge in aquaculture

Diseases in aquaculture Not caused by a single event End result of a series of linked events involving the interactions between the host (including physiological, reproductive and developmental stage conditions), the environment and the presence of a pathogen (Snieszko, 1974). STRESS is an important factor!! Snieszko, 1974 Bondad-Reantaso et al., 2002

Sources of stress Poor water quality (low dissolved oxygen, improper pH, turbidity, etc.) Pollution (toxic waste from factory) Diet composition Physical stressors – handling – transport – disease treatment Water temperature

32 C Fish are poikilothermic animals: body temperature is the same as that of the environment 24 C Ouch.. hot Grrr.. cold

Factors contributing to the current disease problems in aquaculture intensification of aquaculture through translocation of broodstock, post- larvae, fry and fingerlings development and expansion of the ornamental fish trade misunderstanding and misuse of specific pathogen free (SPF) stocks in hatcheries global distribution of shrimp diseases koi herpesvirus (KHV) Taura syndrome, Infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) of Specific pathogen free (SPF) Peneaus vannamei

Factors contributing to the current disease problems in aquaculture slow awareness on emerging diseases inadequate or poorly implemented biosecurity measures unanticipated negative interactions between cultured and wild fish populations enhancement of marine and coastal areas through stocking of aquatic animals reared in hatcheries KHV in Indonesia and EUS incursion in Africa exemplified by Kudoa amamiensis pilchard mortalities with feeding with live or fresh food as pathway

Indiscriminate translocation of infected brooders and post- larvae 10

3 examples of TAADs Example 1: National spread of koi herpesvirus (KHV): case of Indonesia: ornamental to cultured to wild fish populations Example 2: International spread of white spot disease (WSD), the most serious pathogen on shrimp Example 3: Introduction of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) to the Chobe-Zambezi River (southern African region)

12 Koi herpes virus (KHV) Koi carp (high value ornamental fish – one piece can cost as high as USD ) Common carp – an important food fish

13 March 2002

14 April 2002

15 June 2002

16 August 2002

17 September 2002

18 November 2002

19 December 2002

20 January 2003

21 February 2003

22 Episodes of 10 Major Outbreaks ??? Sentani Lake, West PNG, end of Blitar, East Java, March Cirata Reservoir, West Java, April Tondano Lake, North Sulawesi, mid Mahakam River, East Kalimantan, May Toba Lake North Sumatra, Oct Karang Intan River, South Kalimantan, Sep Maninjau Lake, West Sumatra, Aug Subang District, West Java, Apr Lubuk, S Sumatra, Jan st outbreak among koi carp in March 02 1 st outbreak among cultured common carp 1 st outbreak of cultured and wild carp in a reservoir

Economic losses and investment Blitar Mar 02 outbreak: US$ 0.5 M NACA Emergency Task Force: US$ 20,000 Jul 02 outbreak: US$ 5 M FAO TCP: US$ 325,000 Dec 02/03 outbreak: US$ 10 M/US$ 15 M GOI internal budget: US$ 200,000 Nov 04 oubtreak: US$ 25 M Japanese Trust Fund: US$ 20,000 23

3 examples of TAADs Example 1: National spread of KHV: case of Indonesia: ornamental to cultured to wild fish populations Example 2: International spread of white spot disease, the most serious pathogen on shrimp Example 3: Introduction of epizootic ulcerative syndrome to the Chobe-Zambezi River (southern African region)

The Asian pandemic / From Dr. P. Walker, CSIRO, Australia

26 Hawaii Global transfers of live shrimp Tahiti Courtesy Prof. D. Lightner

Global distribution of WSSV 27 USA Mexico Colombia Ecuador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panama Peru Brazil China Thailand Malaysia Indonesia Myanmar Philippines Japan Taiwan South Korea India, Bangladesh, Iran, Sri Lanka

3 examples of TAADs Example 1: National spread of koi herpesvirus (KHV): case of Indonesia: ornamental to cultured to wild fish populations Example 2: International spread of white spot disease (WSD), the most serious pathogen on shrimp Example 3: Introduction of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) to the Chobe-Zambezi River (southern African region)

29 Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) spread Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

Fast forward 2006 More than 20 species confirmed

EUS-positive countries Botswana, Zambia Namibia (2006, 2007 onwards), South Africa (2010) Lake and river systems in African continent with same fish fauna - considered population at risk

Activities and lessons learned

KHV in Indonesia (2002) NACA formed an international disease investigation Task Force: epidemiologist, AAH specialist, virologist One week mission: organized the mission with local counterparts, visited farms, collected samples and sent to different laboratories Confirmed the diagnosis

KHV in Indonesia and Asia Mission recommendations – Short-,medium- and long-term – Immediate notification to OIE – Subject request for technical assistance to FAO through a TCP – TCP was approved (2 years): build capacity on KHV diagnosis, improved virology laboratory; preparation of Asian guidelines KHV continued to spread to other Asian countries

WSD in Mozambique Channel (2013) Assessment of performance and capacity on aquatic biosecurity Sub-regional strategy containing 8 Programme Elements (emergency preparedness) Sub-regional strategy presented to other partners and public sector – made additions – a robust road map for dealing with WSD in that region

EUS in southern Africa (2013) USD 25K for an international disease investigation task force (2007) Regional TCP: EUS diagnosis, active/targetted surveillance, risk analysis ( ) South Africa taking a lead in terms of expertise and funding support Regional strategy for all countries of South Africa (14 countries)

Lessons Vigilance Advance financial planning is essential Post-mortem review and good documentation Competence of Competent Authority Mobilization of experts, alerting diagnostic laboratories Immediate notification, continuous surveillance Multi-disciplinary team including private sector (not only AAH professionals, aquaculture specialists, etc) Full support to affected producers National commitment Regional and international cooperation

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