Disease problems of salmonid fish in Japan caused by international trade.

The author details the connection between disease outbreaks in salmonid fish and imports of salmonid eggs into Japan since the 1950s. The following diseases and species are involved: -infectious pancreatic necrosis in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) -infectious haematopoietic necrosis in sockeye ( of 'kokanee') salmon (O. nerka) and masu salmon (O. masu) -cold water disease, erythrocyte inclusion body syndrome, and bacterial kidney disease (caused by Renibacterium salmoninarum) in coho salmon (O. kisutch), ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis), rainbow trout and masu salmon. The author also discusses the strategies aimed at controlling the risk of disease spread through international trade in salmonid fish and fish products in Japan. Essential in these strategies are the following actions: -exchange of information on controlling disease problems -studies to establish standard methods to identify or detect fish pathogens -fish health certification.