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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #306372
Title: Contact zoonotic risks for aquaculture professionals in warm water aquaculture

Author
item HAENEN, OLGA - Central Veterinary Institute
item Evans, Joyce
item BERTHE, FRANK - European Food Safety Authority

Submitted to: Aquatic Fish Health International Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2014
Publication Date: 8/31/2014
Citation: Haenen, O.M., Evans, J.J., Berthe, F. 2014. Contact zoonotic risks for aquaculture professionals in warm water aquaculture. Aquatic Fish Health International Symposium. P.208.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Aquaculture production and consumption of aquacultural products increases. This growth enhances an increase in zoonotic infection from either handling or ingestion of these products. The principal pathogens acquired topically from fish or shellfish through spine/pincer puncture or open wounds are Aeromonas hydrophilia, Edwardsiella tarda, Mycobacterium marinum, Streptococcus iniae, Vibrio vulnificus and V. damsela. All of these indigenous pathogens have also been associated with disease outbreaks in food fish. Outbreaks are often related to management factors such as quality and quantity of nutrients in the water and stocking density, which increase bacterial loads on the external surface of the fish. As a result, diseased fish are more likely to transmit infection to aquaculture professionals, including fish processors. This paper will provide an account of worldwide topically acquired human cases of zoonosis from the principal fish and shellfish zoonotic pathogens and discuss risks, and required prevention.