Further ISA Outbreak In Chile

Meanwhile, the number of sites suspected to contain the ISA virus rose from 10 to 11 between 15 and 31 December 2010. And two more are in the resting state of health, reports Fis.com.

The report, dated 31 December 2010, states that they consider it suspicious that the center has cages with salmon that tested positive to the ISA virus, but do not manifest the disease clinically.

Of the 11 suspected sites, only two are in the stage of harvesting. The remaining nine are currently populated.

Sernapesca's document states that they have placed farms that have cages with positive laboratory results for the virus and mortalities associated with this disease in the category of an outbreak.

According to this classification, Bahía Perales is the only center with proven cases of clinical manifestations of the ISA virus, including mortality. This center is now in the process of harvesting and removing the infection.

For its part, the Bhutan 1 centre, owned by the company Acuinova, and Mentirosa 3, owned by Cupquelan, are currently on a health break. This is because in principle, they are classified as "suspicious" but now find themselves without fish due to a thorough disinfection of their premises.

Each health centre at rest must meet a three-month break before returning to normal production.

On the other hand, Pilar Cuevas, Mayor of the Aysen region, the area which has the majority of concentrated suspected cases of infection, said that "they are taking all precautionary measures to ensure that the population remain calm with respect to this issue."

In this regard, adding that what happened with the virus in the region of Los Lagos can result in the industry "learning lessons."

According to the mayor, now there is greater control over the companies and their installation. In addition, the region has "its own contingency measures, agreed by all stakeholders in the area."