MOF, Prevents Entry of Two Newly Emerging Aquatic Animal Diseases from Overseas

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 4th that it will issue an administrative notice to designate two newly emerging aquatic animal diseases occurring overseas as monitored and controlled infectious diseases.

The diseases subject to the administrative notice are Tilapia Lake Virus Disease and Crustacean Iridescent Virus Disease.

Fish infected with Tilapia Lake Virus Disease exhibit symptoms such as skin ulcers, cerebral hemorrhage, and hepatitis. It was reported to have occurred in tilapia farms in Thailand during 2015-2016, causing up to 90% mortality. Accordingly, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned since 2017 about the risk of disease transmission through international trade of aquatic products.

Crustacean Iridescent Virus Disease first appeared in shrimp farms in China in 2014. Infected shrimp show symptoms such as a reddish body color or whitening of the head area. The mortality rate of this disease reaches about 80%, and it was reported that all infected shrimp died within two weeks after artificial infection during observation.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has been periodically monitoring these diseases since 2017 to prevent their introduction into the country, and there have been no domestic cases reported so far.

Once the designation of these aquatic animal infectious diseases is completed, the ministry plans to block their entry through import quarantine and strengthen the monitoring system for domestic farms.

Myung Noheon, Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy Division, said, "We will designate and manage the two newly emerging aquatic animal diseases overseas as aquatic animal infectious diseases to thoroughly prevent their introduction into the country in advance," adding, "We will continue efforts to ensure that the public can consume aquatic products with confidence and that aquaculture farmers do not suffer damages."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.