Overview of Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV)

Abstract

Since 2009, tilapia aquaculture has been threatened by mass die-offs in Israel and Ecuador, which is caused by a novel Orthomyxo-like (RNA) virus named as Tilapia lake virus (TiLV). This has been reported as a newly emerging virus that causes syncytial hepatitis of tilapia (SHT). As of 2016, countries affected by this emerging disease include Israel, Ecuador, Colombia and Egypt. In 2017, Thailand and Chinese Taipei confirmed the presence of the virus among farmed tilapia, which also caused mass mortalities. These are the first reports of the disease in Asia-Pacific Region. As tilapia is a highly important aquaculture species in the region, it is highly necessary to contain the disease in affected countries, and to prevent its spread to major tilapia-producing countries in the region. In this regard, this Emergency Regional Consultation for Prevention and Management of Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) in the Asia-Pacific was undertaken to discuss and plan actions on the overall prevention and management of the disease. WorldFish researcher, one of the keynote speakers presented an overview of Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV).