November 10, 2014 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has completed a two-year intensive testing initiative and found no evidence of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) or infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) in wild salmon on the west coast. Between 2012 and 2013, 8,006 samples of trout and salmon species were collected. All of the samples were tested for ISA, 6,734 were tested for IPN, and 1,272 were tested for infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN). All tests were negative. The tests were performed using internationally recognized and validated testing protocols.
The CFIA also evaluated existing surveillance data for farmed salmon in B.C. and found no current or historical evidence of ISA or IPN in these populations. The evaluation analyzed data collected from 2006 to 2011 through provincial and federal programs as well as from routine monitoring and testing by industry.
The CFIA is currently testing farmed salmon in B.C. for non-pathogenic ISA to confirm they are free of the disease. Testing for other diseases in wild and farmed finfish in B.C. is also planned.
Dr. Ian Alexander – Executive Director, Animal Health Science Directorate
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media Relations
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
613-773-6600
