The usage of vaccination and antimicrobial agents for control of Yersinia ruckeri

Abstract. Selected salmonid fish farms in England and Wales were sent a questionnaire designed to collect data on enteric redmouth disease (ERM) vaccination and the usage of antimicrobial agents. The response to the survey was 41·5%. The results indicated that 22% of responding farms have had ERM diagnosed since 1982, half of them have experienced the disease every year since the initial confirmation and it occurs primarily between April and September; mainly in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), of 222/kg-200g. Although larger fish were also affceted. The incidence of ERM coincides with a rise or fall in water temperature, over-crowding, poor water quality or grading. Vaccination against ERM is used on 53% of the responding farms. In addition, 45% of these farms considered immunization to have failed, mainly due to the poor condition of the fish and the low water temperatures at vaccination. On those farms whieh employed vaccination, the commonest ehemotherapeutant used against ERM is oxolinic acid. However, oxytetracycline is the most frequently used antibiotic on farms not employing a vaccine. The use of an antimicrobial agent as a prophylactic or the use of another compound when the first treatment is completed occurred on some farms. The average annual cost for vaccination and treatment has been calculated.