On the basis of the proactive measures to tackle the emerging Tilapia lake virus in Ghana, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) has placed a strict ban on the importation of all ornamental fishes and tilapia species.
The ban is set to take full effect from 1st july for a period of six months.
This case that poses a great great threat to the global tilapia industry has been reported across some parts of Africa, Asia and South America, threatening the global tilapia industry.
“Tilapia Lake Virus is a newly emerging virus that is associated with significant mortalities in farmed tilapia.
The Head of Aquatic Animal Health Unit of the Fisheries Commission, Dr. Peter Ziddah, advised consumers to be vigilant and report any strange case regarding this emerging problem to the ministry.
“This disease, if it enters into our waters, we would have a problem for both the cultured tilapia and the wild tilapia,” he told Citi News.
“this is to caution the people at the borders to stop importing these fishes into the country to avoid the penetration of this virus into the country. But the first point is to make sure the borders are protected.”
The Ministry in its earlier statement said “consumers and stakeholders are therefore advised to report any issues arising from or related to this issue to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. The Ministry will also update the public on any new developments on this in due time.”
It also said it will “follow up with capacity building and awareness creation programmes at different levels to farmers, hatchery operators, extension officers, and consumers and the general public to support the implementation of simple farm-level biosecurity programmes.”
Some of the reported symptoms of infected fish include reddened skin, inflammation of organs including the eyes and brain, liver damage, and eventual organ failure and death.
The mortality rate is about 80-100% of infected fish, according to research at the American Society for Microbiology.
-ghanaweb.com
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