Mortality has been partly elevated, and the Food Safety Authority has been notified. Initial findings suggests that the disease is contagious.
Typical disease symptoms are circulatory failure and anemia and diseased fish often have heart inflammation.
The Veterinary Institute is working with the industry, fish health experts and the FSA to clarify the causal relationship and how the disease is transmitted. Preliminary data suggest that the disease is caused by a virus.
The affected hatcheries are located in the same region, but any agent, may have greater penetration.