Fish Disease HistoryFish Disease History

Dr. Craig KasperDr. Craig Kasper

History of Fish HealthHistory of Fish HealthManagementManagement

1. Fish Health Management:1. Fish Health Management:

Management practices designed to prevent fish Management practices designed to prevent fish disease episodes in confined or free ranging fish disease episodes in confined or free ranging fish populations.populations.

2. Aquaculture:2. Aquaculture:

The art and science of rearing aquatic organisms The art and science of rearing aquatic organisms (finfish, shellfish, aquatic reptiles, amphibians, and (finfish, shellfish, aquatic reptiles, amphibians, and plants) under controlled conditions.plants) under controlled conditions.

  

History of Fish Health History of Fish Health ManagementManagement

- The occurrence of disease in fish was known prior to The occurrence of disease in fish was known prior to 1900’s, however, it was of no practical significance!1900’s, however, it was of no practical significance!

- Advancement in knowledge is Advancement in knowledge is directly relateddirectly related to to development of intensive aquaculturedevelopment of intensive aquaculture

- North America – North America – development associated with development associated with American Fisheries Society.American Fisheries Society.

- Developed separately from health sciences of other Developed separately from health sciences of other animal groupsanimal groups

History of Fish Health History of Fish Health ManagementManagement

- Requires much different approach than terrestrial Requires much different approach than terrestrial animals. Why??animals. Why??

- Environmental factors (water vs. land and air)Environmental factors (water vs. land and air)

- Must have knowledge of environment and animal to Must have knowledge of environment and animal to effectively manage around/diagnose diseaseeffectively manage around/diagnose disease

            History of Fish Health History of Fish Health ManagementManagement

Early reports related to fish disease (very little)Early reports related to fish disease (very little)

- Aristotle (330 BC)Aristotle (330 BC)- Discussed a crustacean parasite of tuna and Discussed a crustacean parasite of tuna and swordfishswordfish

- Lake Geneva Switzerland (1867)Lake Geneva Switzerland (1867)- Reports of disease (typhus) in fishReports of disease (typhus) in fish- Yellow discharge from vent (probably due to lack Yellow discharge from vent (probably due to lack of food)of food)

            History of Fish HealthHistory of Fish Health

- Disease in Salmon and Eels (1868)- Disease in Salmon and Eels (1868)- ““Pestis salmonum” Pestis salmonum” or “ or “Pestis rubra anguillarumPestis rubra anguillarum””

- Disease now known as - Disease now known as vibriosis!vibriosis!

- Furunculosis (1896) Furunculosis (1896) - Cultured trout in GermanyCultured trout in Germany- ““Bacterium salmonicida”Bacterium salmonicida”- First referenced in US in 1902First referenced in US in 1902

- Very serious diseaseVery serious disease

            History of Fish HealthHistory of Fish Health

-““Furunculosis committee” (1928) – Furunculosis committee” (1928) – Great BritainGreat Britain

- Set up to help combat diseaseSet up to help combat disease- Increased interest in other diseases of fishIncreased interest in other diseases of fish

- Made people aware Made people aware – Research began to – Research began to investigate pathological changes in fish due to investigate pathological changes in fish due to disease (1930’s to 1950’s)disease (1930’s to 1950’s)

- Disease agent characterizationDisease agent characterization- Most research done as a hobby not professionMost research done as a hobby not profession

History of Fish Health History of Fish Health

Fish culturistsFish culturists- Became aware of the relationship to fish health Became aware of the relationship to fish health and stocking in troughs, raceways and pondsand stocking in troughs, raceways and ponds- Not all diseases were infectiousNot all diseases were infectious- Began to disinfect equipmentBegan to disinfect equipment- Was a learning processWas a learning process

Toxic substancesToxic substances- Advent of insecticides/herbicidesAdvent of insecticides/herbicides- Causes fish health and environmental problemsCauses fish health and environmental problems

History of Fish Health History of Fish Health

1947 to 19601947 to 1960- Rapid progress!!Rapid progress!!- Advances in nutrition!!Advances in nutrition!!-Development of antibiotic/chemical therapy for fishDevelopment of antibiotic/chemical therapy for fish disease controldisease control- better disinfectantsbetter disinfectants

- Viral diseases of fish discoveredViral diseases of fish discovered- IPN-infectious pancreatic necrosis (1960) (IPN-infectious pancreatic necrosis (1960) (yuck!yuck!))- implications for control/spread of pathogensimplications for control/spread of pathogens

History of Fish Health History of Fish Health

FDC (Fisheries Disease Control)FDC (Fisheries Disease Control)- promoted isolationpromoted isolation- developed USFWS Title 50 – this developed USFWS Title 50 – this restricted restricted movementmovement of certain food or sport fishes (1969) of certain food or sport fishes (1969)- Fish movement now only allowed for certified Fish movement now only allowed for certified pathogen free fish (Board certified fish pathologists)pathogen free fish (Board certified fish pathologists)- Ornamental fish still remain free of such Ornamental fish still remain free of such restrictions—good or bad??restrictions—good or bad??

- FDC replaced by Fish Health Section of AFS in FDC replaced by Fish Health Section of AFS in 19721972