Frequently Asked Questions

National Aquatic Animal Health Program - Role of DFO Reference Laboratories

What is the National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP)?

The NAAHP is designed to meet international aquatic animal health management standards to protect Canadian aquatic resources (wild and farmed) from serious infectious diseases and to maintain competitive international market access.

This science-based program consists of measures needed to prevent, control and/or eradicate aquatic animal diseases of concern. It is co-led by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

What is DFO's role in the National Aquatic Animal Health Program?

DFO is responsible for delivering the science component of NAAHP. DFO works collaboratively with the CFIA, Health Canada, industry, universities, other federal departments and the provinces to coordinate Canada's aquatic animal health programs, which span federal and provincial regulatory responsibilities.

DFO oversees the National Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory System (NAAHLS) to support CFIA deliver the regulatory mandate of the NAAHP. There are currently 3 DFO NAAHLS reference labs across Canada responsible for regulatory diagnostics, technology development and targeted research for 10 high priority diseases. DFO is also responsible for surveillance of wild aquatic resources.

Why are the fish tissue samples tested twice?

As announced on June 7, 2007, DFO, CFIA, and the governments of Ontario and Quebec are monitoring freshwater fish for Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in the Canadian portions of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River systems.

The surveillance will provide the scientific basis for the development of joint VHS management strategies. The surveillance began in May 2007 with sample collection to be done by the provincial partners through the spring and fall at approximately 30 different sites.

Samples are initially tested for VHS using a rapid screening assay at any one of the 3 NAAHLS laboratories. Any screening test positive sample undergoes confirmatory testing at the VHS reference laboratory.

Why are the fish tissue samples sent to British Columbia instead of a DFO lab closer to the Great Lakes?

Each of the three NAAHLS labs is the reference laboratory for one or more of the 10 CFIA priority diseases. There is only one reference lab per disease. The DFO lab in Nanaimo is the NAAHLS reference lab for VHS.

Why does the secondary testing take so long?

The current confirmatory testing process may take up to six or seven weeks. Confirmatory testing requires that the suspect virus be first amplified in cell culture. Test samples with only a very small amount of virus present may require two passages in cell culture (3 weeks per passage). The testing then characterizes the strain type.

Who does DFO notify when the final results are available?

DFO notifies CFIA, the program lead on the NAAHP. CFIA, in turn, informs the relevant stakeholders and determines if management action is required.

Once the joint survey work is completed, this information will provide the scientific basis for the further development of joint VHS management strategies involving the federal and provincial governments and other interested parties.