Division II.3 Sampling and diagnostic methods to rule out or to confirm the presence of VHS or IHN

United Kingdom

When a suspicion of either VHS or IHN or both is required to be confirmed or ruled out in accordance with F1Part 4 of the Aquatic Animal Health Regulations, the following inspection, sampling and testing procedures shall be complied with:

(a)
the farm under suspicion shall be subject to at least one health inspection and one sampling of 10 fish, when clinical signs or post-mortem signs consistent with infection with either VHS or IHN or both are observed or minimum 30 fish, when clinical or post-mortem signs are not observed. Samples shall be tested using one or more of the diagnostic methods set out in points (i) and (ii) in accordance with the detailed diagnostic methods and procedures as set out in Section II of Part 1 of Annex II:
1. (i)
  conventional virus isolation in cell culture with subsequent immunochemical or molecular virus identification;
2. (ii)
  virus detection by RT-qPCR;
3. (iii)
  Other diagnostic techniques of proven similar efficacy such as Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), Enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA), RT-PCR and Immunohistochemistry (IHC).
(b)
the presence of VHS shall be considered as confirmed, if one or more of those diagnostic methods are positive for VHSV. The presence of IHN shall be considered as confirmed, if one or more of those diagnostic methods are positive for IHNV. The confirmation of the first case of VHS or IHN in F2constituent GB territories, zones or compartments previously not infected shall be based on conventional virus isolation in cell culture or RT-qPCR;
(c)
Suspicion of either VHSV or IHNV or both may be ruled out, if cell cultivation or RT-qPCR tests reveal no further evidence of the presence of either VHSV or IHNV or both.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Words in Annex 1 Pt. 1 para. ll.3 substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 11(12)(h)(i)
F2: Words in Annex 1 Pt. 1 para. II.3(b) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 11(12)(h)(ii)

Notes on Part 1

Footnotes

f1: The samples must be collected no sooner than 3 weeks after the transfer of the fish from fresh to saltwater.
f2: Ovarian or seminal fluid of broodstock shall be collected at the time of maturation, in connection with stripping.
f3: Samples must be taken from the number of fish that will ensure the detection of VHSV or IHNV with a 95 % confidence if the design prevalence is 5 %.
f4: The samples must be collected no sooner than 3 weeks after the transfer of the fish from fresh to saltwater.
f5: Ovarian or seminal fluid of broodstock shall be collected at the time of maturation, in connection with stripping.
f6: Samples must be taken from the number of fish that will ensure detection of VHSV or IHNV with a 95 % confidence if the design prevalence is 10 %.
f7: There shall be minimum one sample for every health inspection.
f8: The samples must be collected no sooner than 3 weeks after the transfer of the fish from fresh to saltwater.
f9: Samples must be taken from the number of fish that will ensure the detection of VHSV or IHNV with a 95 % confidence if the design prevalence is 10 %.