Biosecurity materials for Nodavirus

​​Nodaviruses are microscopic agents that can potentially cause major problems for finfish aquaculture. Some finfish species may be highly susceptible to infection, resulting in significant commercial losses. Awareness of the viruses and the disease signs can assist in preventing its spread. These materials outline the biosecurity measures people can take to manage the risks of disease caused by nodavirus infection.

Nodavirus and Biosecurity: Be alert to avoid alarm

What is Biosecurity?

Programs, procedures and actions you take to prevent the outbreak, or limit the spread of nodavirus and other infectious diseases in your hatchery.

What is Nodavirus?

A virus that is found in many marine environments around Australia.

Why worry about Nodavirus?

Nodavirus kills hatchery barramundi in their thousands by destroying their brains and eyes (retinas).

Be alert to the risks! Be alert to the warning signs!

This table shows the risks and warning signs of neglecting biosecurity
What are the risks?What are the warning signs?

Neglecting biosecurity may allow nodavirus and other diseases to:

  • Get in to your hatchery
  • Build up and persist in your hatchery
  • Spread to other hatcheries / regions
  • Cause serious losses
  • Fish going off feed
  • Fish behaving abnormally:
    • Lethargic
    • Not schooling as usual
    • Spinning, spiralling or swirling
    • Not reacting to exernal stimuli like bright lights, noise, hand movements
  • Fish going darker or lighter than normal
  • Fish dying for no apparent reason (i.e. you’ve checked water quality and it is NOT this) in large numbers over a short time

Image showing the process of Biosecurity.
Image showing the process of Biosecurity.
This image shows the process of quarantined fish going to market.
Image showing a normal fish brain and one affected with nodavirus Image showing a normal fish eye and one affected by nodavirus
These images show the differences between normal fish brains/eyes compared with those affected by nodavirus.

Juvenile barramundi with nodavirus infection Image showing more affected fish
These images shows the eye and brain of a Juvenile barramundi with nodavirus infection and other fish which have been infected.

So what can you do?

Establish biosecure areas for your fish
  • Clear signposting of areas
  • Physical separation of areas with restricted access

Maintain biosecurity – prevent the introduction of disease

  • Quarantine new fish
  • Restrict visitor access
  • Don’t mix fish species
  • Don’t mix batches
  • Start with a clean slate for each area and each batch
    • Clean, disinfect and dry out between batches
  • Rinse and disinfect eggs
  • Only use live feeds (rotifers, copepods) of known quality
    • Grown in the hatchery for an extended period of time
  • Be responsible for your own area - don’t go where you aren’t needed
    • If you MUST move between areas, DECONTAMINATE - footbaths and handwash
  • Have dedicated equipment for each area
    • If you must move equipment, thoroughly CLEAN and DISINFECT it
  • Remove sick fish as much as it is possible and practical
  • Maintain good consistent water quality
  • Minimise stress on fish AND staff
  • Keep good records

Investigate problems quickly!

  • When warning signs appear - tell your manager immediately
    • If you are the manager, tell your staff of the problem
  • Make sure you know why the fish died - Get a diagnosis!
    • Take a sample of the fish and send to your veterinary diagnostic laboratory
    • Have your veterinarian investigate and take samples for laboratory analysis

Implement Disease Control by:

  • Having a Standard Operational Protocol in place – act quickly and decisively.
    The SOP must:
    • Be easily accessible
    • Be understood by staff BEFORE a disease event
    • Include procedures to reduce stress on healthy remaining fish
    • Describe decontamination and disinfection protocols
    • Include up to date contact details of your vet and diagnostic laboratory
    • Be read and understood by staff
      BEFORE a disease event
  • Seeking advice from your veterinarian on treatment and control
    • Maintain a sound active working relationship with your vet and diagnostic laboratory
  • Getting in touch with your State/Territory health authority (which MUST be done if nodavirus confirmed) - Contact details

Biosecurity: Be alert to avoid alarm

What is Biosecurity?

Programs, procedures and actions you take to prevent the outbreak, or limit the spread of nodavirus and other infectious diseases in your hatchery.

Why worry about the disease?

Disease – viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic - is a real and present threat to the success of your farming operations. Disease is a major limiting factor to your farm making money (and you getting paid)!

Be alert to the risks! Be alert to the warning signs!

This table shows the risks and warning signs of biosecurity​
What are the risks?What are the warning signs?

Neglecting biosecurity may allow diseases to:

  • Get onto your farm; or
  • Build up on your farm!
  • Cause serious losses!
  • Spread to other farms in the region

  Fish affected by nodavirus or other diseases
This image shows fish affected by disease.

  • Fish going off feed
  • Fish behaving abnormally:
    • Lethargic
    • Not schooling as usual
    • Spiralling or swirling
    • Not reacting to exernal stimuli like bright lights, noise, hand movements
  • Fish going darker or lighter than normal
  • Fish dying for no apparent reason (i.e. you’ve checked water quality and it is NOT this) in large numbers over a short time
  • Scales loss
  • Ulcers
  • Bleeding from the fins, gills, eyes
  • Lumps on fish
  • Swelling of eyes and/ or abdomen
  • Pale or ragged gills

So what can you do?

Establish biosecure areas for your fish

  • Clear signposting of areas
  • Physical separation of areas with restricted access

Maintain biosecurity – prevent the introduction of disease

  • Quarantine new fish
  • Restrict visitor access
  • Don’t mix fish species
  • Don’t mix batches
  • Start with a clean slate for each area and each batch
    • Clean, disinfect and dry out between batches
  • Rinse and disinfect eggs
  • Be responsible for your own area - don’t go where you aren’t needed
    • If you MUST move between areas, DECONTAMINATE - footbaths and handwash
  • Have dedicated equipment for each area
    • If you must move equipment, thoroughly CLEAN and DISINFECT it
  • Remove sick fish as much as it is possible and practical
  • Maintain good consistent water quality
  • Minimise stress on fish AND staff
  • Keep good records

Investigate problems quickly!

  • When warning signs appear - tell your manager immediately
    • If you are the manager, tell your staff of the problem
  • Make sure you know why the fish died – Get a diagnosis!
    • Take a sample of the fish and send to your veterinary diagnostic laboratory
    • Have your veterinarian investigate and take samples for laboratory analysis   

Implement Disease Control by:

  • Having a Standard Operational Protocol in place – act quickly and decisively.
    The SOP must:
    • Be easily accessible
    • Be understood by staff BEFORE a disease event
    • Include procedures to reduce stress on healthy remaining fish
    • Describe decontamination and disinfection protocols
    • Include up to date contact details of your vet and diagnostic laboratory
    • Be read and understood by staff BEFORE a disease event
  • Seeking advice from your veterinarian on treatment and control
    • Maintain a sound active working relationship with your vet and diagnostic laboratory
  • Getting in touch with your State/Territory health authority (which MUST be done if nodavirus confirmed)
    • Contact details
​

Contacts

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern