Nodavirus in farmed Atlantic cod Gadus morhua in Norway

• Published in: Diseases of Aquatic Organisms
• Main Authors: Patel, Sonal, Korsnes, Kjetil, Bergh, Øivind, Vik-Mo, Frode, Pedersen, Jan, Nerland, Audun Helge
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Inter-Research 2015
• Subjects: VDP::Agriculture and fishery disciplines: 900::Fisheries science: 920::Fish health: 923; Norway; atlantic cod; Gadus morhua
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11250/295010; https://doi.org/10.3354/dao01842

Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) was diagnosed in 5 to 24 g sized farmed Atlantic cod Gadus morhua kept in sea cages at Parisvatn, Hordaland county, on the west coast of Norway. Moderate mortality (10 to 15 %) was observed, along with anorexia and abnormal swimming behaviour, such as looping or spiral swimming and reduced coordination. Nodavirus was detected by 2 different real-time RT-PCR assays, and this was later confirmed by inmumohistochemistry. This is the first report of an outbreak of VER in farmed cod in Norway, and the first report that VER affect cod exceeding 5 g in size.