Active surveillance of infection caused by Aphanomyces invadans in Malawi

Abstract

In Malawi, fish is regarded as a cheapest source of animal proteins and other macronutrients. Recent epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) outbreaks reported in countries sharing Chobe-Zambezi river system like Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Republic of South Africa, have posed a major threat to fish production. Malawi's biggest and important Shire River connects to Zambezi River and there is sharing of waters with Zambia during floods in some areas in north western Malawi. Active surveillance in Malawi was, therefore, conducted in four high risk areas to establish the presence or absence of EUS. Fish were inspected for EUS-like lesions by a trained surveillance team. No fish was found with EUS-like lesions. However, one Barbus paludinosus from Vwaza Marsh had a reddish and swollen caudal peduncle which after doing laboratory tissue squash did not show any evidence of fungal hyphae to suspect EUS but numerous inflammatory cells were seen.