13 results

Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: establishment of a national aquatic animal health diagnostic network

Project number: 2005-621
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $124,247.70
Principal Investigator: Richard Whittington
Organisation: University of Sydney (USYD)
Project start/end date: 30 Mar 2005 - 5 Mar 2007
Contact:
FRDC

Need

The lack of many recognised serious diseases is perceived as one of Australian aquaculture’s prime competitive advantages to meet future global demand. Maintenance of this high health status through initiatives which reduce the risk of disease incursions and facilitate early detection and response to emerging disease problems is seen as critical to continuing industry expansion. The range of commercially significant aquatic animal species, and their diseases, is increasing steadily. It is clear that, due to limited resources, diagnostic laboratories cannot develop proficiency in the diagnosis of all significant diseases, for example those listed in the Australian National List of Reportable Diseases of Aquatic Animals. Appropriately, State laboratories, in support of local industries, concern themselves with local aquatic animal species and their significant diseases and have developed expertise in those areas. Rather than duplicate this effort, AAHL’s involvement and expertise focuses on exotic diseases of concern to Australia, as well as new or emerging endemic diseases. As a consequence, expertise in specific diseases has developed in different laboratories throughout the country. To take advantage of this development, to ensure that expertise in different diseases is available Australia-wide, and to create a consistent system of aquatic animal disease diagnosis and reporting, it is proposed that a national network of laboratories should be established for the diagnosis and monitoring of aquatic animal diseases underpinned by a formal quality assurance program. Through a consultation process, uniform data standards and reporting formats need to be developed and adopted by all jurisdictions. Standard diagnostic tests and operating procedures also need to be developed and subsequently adopted by laboratories within the network. Thus this project is concerned with the establishment of the network and commencement of activities, including proficiency tests (“ring tests”) designed to assist laboratories in further developing their diagnostic capabilities and/or to allow demonstration that performance of a particular test is at a nationally accepted standard, using Australian and New Zealand Standard Diagnostic Procedures (ANZSDPs). In this way confidence of stakeholders in the quality of diagnosis provided is increased. The project is in complete alignment with AQUAPLAN 2005-2010.

Objectives

1. Make recommendations on the structure and function of the network of receival and reference laboratories
2. Establish a network for aquatic animal disease diagnosis.
3. Facilitate transfer of knowledge and technology in aquatic animal diagnostics.
4. Develop a model for national laboratory proficiency (ring) testing as a mechanism to enhance the proficiency of the established diagnostic network.

Final report

ISBN: 1-86487-8770
Author: Richard Whittington

People development program: Aquatic animal health training scheme - Visiting Expert Dr Teruo Miyazaki

Project number: 2009-315.23
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $10,000.00
Principal Investigator: Richard Whittington
Organisation: University of Sydney (USYD)
Project start/end date: 30 Jun 2012 - 29 Jun 2013
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Viral diseases are among the most important of all health issues in aquaculture and fisheries. Their rapid and accurate recognition is central to the prevention of spread and the control of emerging diseases. Morphological diagnosis based on gross pathology, histopathology and electron microscopy remain vital in the diagnostic process, and are essential to complement accurate molecular aetiolgical diagnosis. Practitioners of morphological diagnosis are becoming scarce, and this application enables knowledge transfer from one of the world's foremost experts, Dr Teruo Miyazaki from Japan. This knowledge transfer requires a hand-on approach in a small group setting, using a multiheaded microscope with plenty of opportunity for discussion. for this reason a face-to-face visit is essential. Improving aquatic animal health diagnostic capacity is a priority for FRDC specifically to prevent and manage disease incursions, and to develop diagnostic procedures and techniques to rapidly detect and identify pathogens. This is also a priority for state jurisdictions.

In addition to viral diseases, Dr Miyazaki has career long expertise in general fish pathology, so his visit presents diverse opportunities for continuing education of Australian aquatic animal health diagnosticians.

Objectives

1. 1. Facilitate the visit to Australia of Dr Teruo Miyazaki for knowledge transfer to aquatic animal disease diagnosticians and industry
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2016-011
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Subprogram: Disinfection measures to support biosecurity for infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) at aquaculture facilities

Megalocytiviruses are a group of closely related viruses that cause mass mortalities in both marine and freshwater aquaculture. They are of global importance as they are listed by the World Animal Health Organization (OIE). They are difficult to control as they infect over 125 fish species and...
ORGANISATION:
University of Sydney (USYD)
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