Tilapia Lake Virus is a newly emerging virus that is associated with significant mortalities in farmed tilapia. The attention of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) has been drawn to the fact that, cases have been reported across Africa, Asia, and South America that the virus represents a huge risk to the global tilapia industry.
This means all countries should be vigilant and act quickly to investigate cases of mortalities in farms.
In line with this, The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has placed a BAN on the import of all ornamental fishes and tilapia species ( live and dead) including gametes-eggs and milt into the country effect from July 1 to December 31, 2018.
The ban is one of the immediate actions being taken by the Ministry to help prevent and control the virus since its treatment is not known.
The Ministry will follow up with capacity building and awareness creation programmes at different levels to farmers, hatchery operators, extension officers, consumers and the general public to support implementation of simple farm level biosecurity programmes.
Consumers and stakeholders are therefore advised to report any issues arising or related to this issue to MoFAD.
The Ministry will also update the public on any new developments on this in due time.
By Mercy Kukah
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