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Fish and shellfish diseases
Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) has a specialised fish and shellfish diseases laboratory. The laboratory was set up in 1985 and offers broad experience on diseases of cultured fish for human consumption, ornamental and wild fish, crustaceans and shellfish.
Healthy aquaculture
Fish production via aquaculture is increasing strongly worldwide. One of the threats to intensive aquaculture is the occurrence of contagious fish, crustaceans and shellfish diseases, which can cause serious illness and death and thereby economic losses.
Role of Wageningen Bioveterinary Research
At the specialised laboratory in Lelystad, accredited and fast diagnostics are performed to identify new outbreaks at an early stage. We offer broad experience and expertise on various fish and shellfish diseases. We are consulted frequently for our diagnostic service, expertise on diseases, and as partner for collaboration in research and network projects by both national and international parties.
Tasks
- Diagnosing diseases for the aquatic industry, and the ornamental and wild fish branches:
- In case of fish disease at fish farms
- At suspicion of notifiable fish and shellfish diseases, in cooperation with the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)
- For certification of live fish for export, in cooperation with the NVWA
- Serving as a knowledge and advisory centre for the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) and provide consultancy to the aquaculture branch regarding fish and shellfish diseases
- Research on fish and shellfish diseases that occur in the Netherland, with specialisation in eel and carp diseases
National Reference Lab
The laboratory is the Dutch National Reference Lab (NRL) for fish and shellfish diseases for the EU. It was the first fish diseases laboratory in Europe accredited for quality standards ISO 9001 and 17025 (EN 45001). The laboratory has an impressive national and international network, in which knowledge and materials are exchanged.
Appointment and order form
Live diseased or healthy fish and shellfish can be diagnosed at appointment (after a phone call) with the Fish and Shellfish Disease Laboratory in Lelystad, preferably via a veterinarian. When submitting research material, please fill in the submission form for fish diseases, print it and send it along.
For diagnostic research - necropsy (including parasitology), bacteriology, virology, and histopathology - reasonable rates are charged.
View the turnaround times per test
Export certification
Export certification is arranged via the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). A notification period of 14 days prior to this must be taken into account.
Procedure
Following the anamnesis, necropsy is performed, including external and internal investigation for parasites. At suspicion of a virological or bacteriological disorder, further tests are performed. For example, in the event of a bacteriological suspicion, specimens from the lesions and internal organs of the fish are inoculated onto agar. For virology organs of the fish are sampled, and in histopathology (microscopy of sections of affected tissue) pieces of tissue are put into a fixative.
Once the diagnostic tests have been completed, a diagnosis is made. This is indicated in the written results.
Bacteriology
Virology
WBVR has many PCR tests for the virus diagnostics of fish, crustaceans and shellfish.
Histopathology
Diagnosis of shellfish diseases
For research on live shellfish, they are fixed and processed for histopathology. Light microscopy is used to read the sections. At the same time, inoculations can be used for bacteriological research. WBVR also offers PCR tests for the most important shellfish pathogens.
Research examples of WBVR
The laboratory has studied various fish disease subjects in more detail, with or without infection trials: the swimbladder parasite (Anguillicola crassus) in eels, common eel parasites in the open waters, eel bacteria and currently eel viruses. In addition, various molecular detection methods have been developed for KHV (koi herpes virus), HVA (eel herpes virus), Bonamia (oyster parasite) and Nocardia (shellfish bacteria). Scientific publications have appeared based on the results of these studies. The scientists collaborate with other partners in new research projects that optimally utilize the specific knowledge of all participants.