Abstract

Manecas Baloi*, Rafael Rafael, Jose Vilanculo, Jose Ramos and Mona D Jansen

In the present paper we report the results of the TiLV active surveillance program carried out during 2019/2020 to 2023. Tilapia is one of the most widely farmed freshwater fish species and currently being cultured in more than 140 countries. Over the last few years, large-scale mortalities have been reported in tilapia due to infection with Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV), an emerging pathogen affecting both wild and farmed tilapia, with mass mortality events and biosecurity restrictions threating global tilapia industry. In the present study, we report the results of TiLV-targeted surveillance in wild and tilapia farms and hatcheries in southern Mozambique from 2019 to 2023. All 729 samples from wild and farmed fish tested during this period were negative for TiLV. We recommend the continued implementations of strict biosecurity measures, including good management practices and quarantine protocols, preventing the introduction and spread of pathogens both in wild stock and farmed fish.