Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus: A review

Abstract

The emergence of virus strains, such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV), that infect teleost fishes, either those in the wild or cultivated for human consumption, has greatly affected fish production worldwide. It is therefore imperative to identify and characterize the different VHSV strains among species of fish in order to develop a comprehensive identification tool that could be used for early diagnosis. The negative impact of VHSV infection in the fish ecosystem as well as in the aquaculture industry can be irreversible if management of the virus cannot be handled properly at the onset of its infection. Thus, knowledge on the proper diagnosis and early treatment for VHSV-infected fish is the best way to combat further fish mortalities, and this could only be achieved through development of very efficient diagnostic tools and treatments that could prevent the spread of the virus, such as vaccines. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.