General guidance for health and welfare monitoring of fish used in research is available, but there is a pressing need for more species-specific guidance.
Pathogens of concern to each study must be discussed and identified, with the establishment of a health monitoring programme which all facility users follow. This should include quarantine-release screening programmes, not just surface sanitising of eggs. Users should be aware of the possible zoonotic risk.
Resources
- Mocho et al. (2022): FELASA-AALAS Recommendations for Monitoring and Reporting of Laboratory Fish Diseases and Health Status, with an Emphasis on Zebrafish (Danio Rerio)
- Mocho et al. (2022): FELASA-AALAS Recommendations for Biosecurity in an Aquatic Facility, Including Prevention of Zoonosis, Introduction of New Fish Colonies, and Quarantine
- Naumann et al. (2024): Comprehensive Colony Health Management and Emerging Pathogens of the Annual Killifish Species Nothobranchius furzeri
- The Aquatic Animal Health Code
- Health monitoring and disease prevention in fish
- Zebrafish health monitoring (JP Mocho, 2021, presentation for Zebrafish Husbandry Association)
- FoMAS (Fiskehelse og Miljø AS)
- EFSA Guidance on fish welfare includes guidelines on the welfare of animals during transport
- Mangus et al. (2021): Research-Relevant Background Lesions and Conditions in Common Avian and Aquatic Species
- Health monitoring of fish used in research - progress? (Anne Ramstad, 2009)
- Baumann & Okihiro (2000): Cancer, in The Laboratory Fish, Academic Press
- Metcalfe (2000): Toxicology, in The Laboratory Fish, Academic Press
- Powell (2000): Common Diseases and Treatment, in The Laboratory Fish, Academic Press
- Iaria et al (2019) Occurrence of diseases in fish used for experimental research. Laboratory Animals, 53(6): 619-629.
- Challenges of Quality Requirement for Fish Vaccines, meeting in Oslo arranged by EDQM (European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and Healthcare), 10-11 May 2016
- Sabrautzki et al. (2021): Welfare Assessment of Adult Laboratory Zebrafish: A Practical Guide
- ZFIN Zebrafish health and welfare glossary, Welfare Terms, Appearance
- Duman et al. (2022): General Assessment of Approaches to the Identification of Aquatic Bacterial Pathogens: A Methodological Review
FELASA-AALAS Working Group is developing recommendations for health monitoring of zebrafish.
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