First record of epizootic ulcerative syndrome from the Upper Congo catchment: an outbreak in the Bangweulu swamps, Zambia
Loading...
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
Abstract
We report on the first outbreak of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) amongst
wild fish populations in the Bangweulu swamps, an inland delta, in the north of
Zambia during 2014. The area supports a large and diverse fish fauna related to, but
distinct from, that of the Zambezi River system where EUS outbreaks have occurred
since 2006. A sizeable artisanal fishery, based on extensive fish weirs, is sustained
by the annual flooding of the swamps, and observations of the disease outbreak by
fishermen were recorded. Signs typical of infection with Aphanomyces invadans were
observed in a number of species. Clinical observations, histology and molecular diagnostic
methods were used to confirm infection with A. invadans in two of the most
commonly and severely affected species. Several features of the wetland may have
contributed to the outbreak and the annual recurrence of the disease. Modes by
which the disease may have been introduced into the swamps are discussed. The
outbreak is of great significance as the Bangweulu swamps drain into the Congo
River in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa's largest drainage system
with an extensive and diverse fish fauna previously unaffected by EUS.
Description
Keywords
Aphanomyces invadans, Bangweulu swamps, Congo River, Epizootic ulcerative syndrome, Outbreak
Citation
Huchzermeyer, C. F. et al. (2017). First record of epizootic ulcerative syndrome from the Upper Congo catchment: an outbreak in the Bangweulu swamps, Zambia. Journal of Fish Diseases, 1-8