The Fish Flu

Recent research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology has determined the genetic structure of the reproductive genes of a particularly deadly strain of infectious salmon anemia virus. This virus has an extremely high mortality rate over 90% in Pacific Salmon. This virus is commonly known as the fish flu, and has been plaguing fish farms in the Pacific. In recent times the virus has branched out into the wild population of the species. Given the mortality rate of this virus it is imperative that measures be taken to prevent the complete collapse of the population.

The problem with containing the virus is that it would require much more effort to properly inject the vaccine the fish  then reasonably possible. The researchers suggested that a more feasible way to vaccinate the fish. By creating a vaccine that interferes with the genetic coding for the replication of the virus which would eventually kill the virus. This method would not require the injection of each and every fish; making it much more practical for fish farmers and conservationists alike. I found this research to be particularly interesting because I had never considered how difficult it would be to deliver a vaccine to a population of fish.

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