New diagnostic kits to tackle salmon diseases

The main aim of the kits are to ultimately lead to the recovery of domestic production of Atlantic salmon. (Photo: Aquainnovo)

The University of Chile and Aquainnovo S.A. have received government aid for their work on a project to develop diagnostic kits for diseases affecting salmonids in the country.

The initiative, in the development of which also participated producers of salmon and trout, is under the scientific direction of Maria Eugenia Cabrejos, an academic at the University of Chile and director of the Laboratory Unit at Aquainnovo S.A.

The implementation of diagnostic kits for diseases in the Official Program of the National Fisheries Service (SERNAPESCA) will simultaneously identify the different conditions through a single sample.

One of the kits can detect the infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) virus, the infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus and R. salmoninarum (or BKD), all of which are included in the General Health Program for Fish Reproduction.

Another kit detects Alphavirus viral diseases, infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) and viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), in accordance with the Health Program for Specific Diseases with Active Surveillance for High Risk Farmed Fish.

"The team has high technical standards in order to comply with international quality standards, in the same way, the project convened with valuable partners such as the European Laboratory for Fish Disease Reference, consultants, experts in national Technology Transfer and experienced entrepreneurs in the area of salmon and trout production," said Aquainnovo.

The company also said it will assume the objective of Technology Transfer, including placing new products and diagnostic services in the market.

"These new tools and services associated with them, allow the authorities and employers to take effective measures for disease control, which will ultimately lead to the recovery of domestic production of Atlantic salmon," said Cabrejos.

This initiative was the only one in the area of salmon farming to enter the Competition for Research and Development Projects (I+D) by Fondef, which this year received a record of 268 applicants.

By Analia Murias

source: fis