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Control of fish disease, and the use of drugs and vaccines in Japan
Author(s) -
Sano T.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of applied ichthyology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.392
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1439-0426
pISSN - 0175-8659
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0426.1998.tb00630.x
Subject(s) - biology , aquaculture , christian ministry , antimicrobial , disease control , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , microbiology and biotechnology , philosophy , theology
Summary Aquaculture industries in Japan often suffer from severe diseases. The major diseases occurring in cultured species in Japan in 1993 can be categorized according to their causative agents: bacterial = 37; parasitic = 17; viral =11; fungal = 4; concurrent = 1; other = 9. Against the bacterial diseases, there are 25 approved drugs marketed in Japan (status March 1997) and used under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Their use is limited and regulated by standard procedures. The Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Council is involved in licensing and evaluating drugs as to their safety, efficacy and residues prior to marketing aquatic products. Even after approval, drugs are used on aquacultural farms under the strict supervision of licensed veterinarians. Compared to bacterial diseases, no preventive measures or therapeutants are available to cope with viral infections. In the past, vibriosis in salmonids was a serious problem, however, due to the introduction of a vibriosis bacterin, severe economic losses from this disease have been greatly reduced. Early in 1997, a licence was given to manufacture an oral bacterin against lactococcicosis occurring in cultured yellowtail ( Seriola quinqueradiata ), and its use will start during the summer. Besides the use of vaccines or antimicrobial agents, existing experience suggests that the addition of an ‘UGF’ (Unidentified Growth Factor) to fish feeds at a level of 2 % does support healthy growth while significantly inducing non‐specific high hematocrit values.