First record of epizootic ulcerative syndrome from the Upper Congo catchment: An outbreak in the Bangweulu swamps, Zambia

We report on the first outbreak of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) amongst wild fish populations in the Bangweulu swamps, an inland delta, in the north of Zambia during 2014. The area supports a large and diverse fish fauna related to, but distinct from, that of the Zambezi River system where EU...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of fish diseases 2018-01, Vol.41 (1), p.87-94
Main Authors: Huchzermeyer, C F, Huchzermeyer, K D A, Christison, K W, Macey, B M, Colly, P A, Hang'ombe, B M, Songe, M M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Aphanomyces
Aphanomyces invadans
Artisanal fisheries
Bangweulu swamps
Catchment area
Catchments
Congo River
Diagnostic systems
Disease outbreaks
Disease Outbreaks - veterinary
Diseases
Drainage systems
epizootic ulcerative syndrome
epizootic ulcerative syndrome outbreak
Fauna
Fish
Fish Diseases - epidemiology
Fish populations
Fisheries
Fishers
Fishes
Fishing
Flooding
Histology
Infection - epidemiology
Infection - veterinary
Infections
New records
Outbreaks
Rivers
Swamps
Ulcer - epidemiology
Ulcer - veterinary
Weirs
Wetlands
Zambia - epidemiology
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Summary:We report on the first outbreak of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) amongst wild fish populations in the Bangweulu swamps, an inland delta, in the north of Zambia during 2014. The area supports a large and diverse fish fauna related to, but distinct from, that of the Zambezi River system where EUS outbreaks have occurred since 2006. A sizeable artisanal fishery, based on extensive fish weirs, is sustained by the annual flooding of the swamps, and observations of the disease outbreak by fishermen were recorded. Signs typical of infection with Aphanomyces invadans were observed in a number of species. Clinical observations, histology and molecular diagnostic methods were used to confirm infection with A. invadans in two of the most commonly and severely affected species. Several features of the wetland may have contributed to the outbreak and the annual recurrence of the disease. Modes by which the disease may have been introduced into the swamps are discussed. The outbreak is of great significance as the Bangweulu swamps drain into the Congo River in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa's largest drainage system with an extensive and diverse fish fauna previously unaffected by EUS.
ISSN:0140-7775
1365-2761
DOI:10.1111/jfd.12680