Review on existing strategies to avoid entrance and survival of OsHV-1 in hatchery and nursery systems

An understanding of the husbandry strategies and any associated risk factors is important for designing management control measures that can reduce mortality in Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, caused by Ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1). The type of culture facility can be considered in relation to the potential pathways that could lead to the entry of a pathogen and its survival. In addition, the animal host (e.g. age, physiological state, selective breeding programmes), husbandry procedures (e.g. stocking density), the pathogen itself (e.g. pathogenicity, virulence), and environmental effects (e.g. temperature) represent other relevant interconnected factors. However, all these factors provide valuable background information for outlining the mitigation strategies in the context of surveillance and biosecurity programmes. These control mechanisms for hatchery or nursery areas are related to movement restrictions, water treatment, virus inactivation, the production calendar, and practical farm management decisions. Already published guidelines for control of OsHV-1 are also detailed.

Review available upon request to the project coordinators.