Control and combat of fish viroses

Application of proteases to control and combat of fish viroses in aquaculture

Fish diseases induced by virus infection can cause severe costs for fish pond farmers. Some of these diseases require notification of the relevant authorities. Once such infection was identified, actions e.g. discarding of fish from the affected culture, disinfection of the pond, etc., have to be undertaken in order to prevent  further spread of the disease. Unfortunately, in Germany there are no consistent legal requirements for all such infections regarding proper measures.

In a recently concluded project („Maßnahmen gegen Virosen in der ökologischen Aquakultur“, FKZ: 2810OE053, Bundesprogramm Ökologischer Landbau) we were able to demonstrate for the first time that proteases, well established in biotechnical products such as laundry detergents, are able to inactivate certain viruses. Nevertheless, further research in needed.

Thus, the aim of this project is to develop an innovative, environmental friendly and effective Strategy for inactivation of various fish viruses based on use of commercially available, proteolytic enzymes.

This project is carried out in close cooperation with researchers from the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, the Bavarian State Institute for Agriculture and the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety. It is financed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food, due to a resolution of the German Bundestag, via the Federal Institute for Agriculture and Food (project number: 2815NA062).