2007 Symposium Chinese Society of Fish Diseases

Approximately 100 researchers, representing all major research institutes, universities and government agencies, participated in the event. Thirty-five oral presentations were given.

A number of emerging diseases were reported, including Enteric Septicaemia of Catfish (ESC) in Channel catfish, Nocardiosis in snakehead, Streptococcus agalactiae infection in tilapia and Spiroplasmas infection in hairy crab.

Zilong Tan from Intervet presented a paper entitled “The Development of Fish Vaccines for Disease Control in Asia”, co-authored by Cedric Komar, Neil Wendover and Brian Sheehan of Intervet Norbio Singapore (INS).

Besides explaining the needs of vaccines for Asian aquaculture in his talk, Zilong pointed out the importance of having reliable epidemiological data as a foundation for disease research and vaccine development. For example, in Asia Vibrio spp. (V. alginolyticus, V. parahaemoliticus, V. damsela, V. spendidus, etc.) are the most frequently-reported “disease” in warmwater marine fish. As a result, many researchers are working on these so-called pathogens from DNA sequencing to vaccine research.

Vibrio spp. are commonly isolated from skin lesion because they are environmental microorganisms and fast growing. The research findings in Intervet Norbio Singapore and field experience indicate that Tenacibaculum maritimum, coupled with skin injury by monogenean infestation and rough handling, causes bacterial skin disease.