Mainstream Canada Begins Depopulating Site After IHN Outbreak

IHN can cause the Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis disease in farmed Atlantic salmon.

Samples collected during routine fish health disease screening were submitted to the provincial government's Animal Health Centre lab in Abbotsford, B.C.

The lab detected the virus with qPCR tests and confirmed it by genetic sequencing. Histopathological results also confirmed that the fish were affected with the disease caused by the IHN virus.

Mainstream Canada has begun depopulating the site.

Fish removed from the site will be euthanised and transported to a composting facility for disposal. Strict biosecurity protocols will be followed during all stages of this process.

The site is currently under the authority of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which has quarantined the farm and is overseeing the depopulation and disposal process.