The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is issuing a Federal Order to prevent the entry or introduction of Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) into the United States.
This Federal Order requires that imported shipments of all live fish, fertilized eggs and gametes from TiLV-susceptible species now have a USDA import permit, official health certificate and veterinary inspection.
The TiLV–susceptible species are:
TiLV is a deadly disease of farmed and wild tilapia, and it poses a serious threat to U.S. agriculture. TiLV does not affect humans, nor is it a food safety concern. Signs of the disease in tilapia include cloudy or bulging eyes, skin lesions such as darkening, bruising, ulcers or
protrusion of the gills, and abdominal swelling. Fish may be slow-moving and off feed. There are no treatments or vaccines for the disease at this time.
TiLV was first detected in the United States in March 2019. The disease was quickly contained and eradicated.
The Federal order may be viewed here and is effective December 12, 2019.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.