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Principal Investigator: Paul Bowser
Contact Information: E-mail: pbr4@cornell.edu - Phone: 607-253-4029
Sponsor: United States Department of Agriculture
Grant Number: 2007-37610-18387
Title: Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia in the Great Lakes Basin
Annual Direct Cost: $153,081
Project Period: 08/01/07-07/31/08
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (VHSV) is considered to be one of the most important viral pathogens of finfish worldwide. As such, it is listed as a Reportable Animal Pathogen by the OIE (World Animal Health Organization) and is the subject of state, federal and international regulations designed to prevent its introduction and spread. A new strain of VHSV was first diagnosed in the Lower Great Lakes in 2005. Since that time, the virus has caused massive fish kills in several fish species and has been isolated from many others. This emerging strain of VHSV appears to have an exceptionally broad host range, which has brought about a great deal of concern for the potential spread of this exceptionally virulent form into the private sector aquaculture industry or into new populations of native freshwater fish. This proposal encompasses three major objectives: 1 -to develop a laboratory model of infection for channel catfish and rainbow trout; 2 -to determine the sensitivity of detection of VHSV with qRT-PCR; and 3 -to provide reference laboratory services for the fish health community. These studies will allow us to determine how many species are at risk, as well as providing us with a means of making educated decisions on limiting the spread of this hazardous virus.
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