Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Salmon virus hits Canadian supermarkets
Norwegian disease found in 44 of 45 Vancouver-bought fish
Postmedia NewsApril 16, 2012 5:36 AM
A newly identified Norwegian virus that affects salmon has made its way into Canadian markets, with test results confirming the presence of the virus in 44 out of 45 farmed salmon bought from Vancouver supermarkets.
The piscine reovirus, which causes heart and skeletal muscle inflammation in salmon, was found in fish bought by advocacy group SalmonAreSacred.org. The stores' seafood departments told the group the fish were B.C.-raised farmed salmon, SalmonAreSacred said in a news release.
Alexandra Morton, the biologist who discovered the infected fish, questioned if that information from store staff was accurate.
The virus is considered a "major challenge" in Norway, infecting more than 400 farms since its first appearance in 1999. Since then, it has also spread to the U.K, and as of last year, Chile.
"If they were imported, that is a huge concern," said Morton.
The origin of the infected fish, which has yet to be confirmed, will dictate whether the Canadian fish industry is at risk or if imports need a more thorough scanning process. The virus has not been found in Canadian farmed or wild fish populations, Morton said, but she is fearful it will show up.
Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/S...supermarkets/6462981/story.html#ixzz1sDDjT8Pd
Norwegian disease found in 44 of 45 Vancouver-bought fish
Postmedia NewsApril 16, 2012 5:36 AM
A newly identified Norwegian virus that affects salmon has made its way into Canadian markets, with test results confirming the presence of the virus in 44 out of 45 farmed salmon bought from Vancouver supermarkets.
The piscine reovirus, which causes heart and skeletal muscle inflammation in salmon, was found in fish bought by advocacy group SalmonAreSacred.org. The stores' seafood departments told the group the fish were B.C.-raised farmed salmon, SalmonAreSacred said in a news release.
Alexandra Morton, the biologist who discovered the infected fish, questioned if that information from store staff was accurate.
The virus is considered a "major challenge" in Norway, infecting more than 400 farms since its first appearance in 1999. Since then, it has also spread to the U.K, and as of last year, Chile.
"If they were imported, that is a huge concern," said Morton.
The origin of the infected fish, which has yet to be confirmed, will dictate whether the Canadian fish industry is at risk or if imports need a more thorough scanning process. The virus has not been found in Canadian farmed or wild fish populations, Morton said, but she is fearful it will show up.
Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/S...supermarkets/6462981/story.html#ixzz1sDDjT8Pd