THE AEROBIOLOGICAL PATHWAY OF A FISH PATHOGEN - SURVIVAL AND DISSEMINATION OF AEROMONAS-SALMONICIDA IN AEROSOLS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN FISH HEALTH MANAGEMENT

The aerobiological (aerosol) pathway of Aeromonas salmonicida subspeci es salmonicida (ATCC 33658) was investigated, Results indicate that vi able A, salmonicida can travel as an aerosol/droplet spray at least 10 4.1 cm (limits of the test chamber used) when carried by air currents. Additionally, viable A. salmonicida was recovered from water exposed to an experimentally generated aerosol/droplet spray of A. salmonicida downwind from the contaminant source. It is possible that viable bact erial aquatic animal pathogens can be spread via the airborne route, T his possible route of pathogen introduction could effect current manag ement or system designs, especially when aquaculture systems consist o f tanks in close proximity.