Ciência e Tecnologia Veterinária

Present Status and Future Prospects of Fish Vaccination: A Review

Abstract

Yimer Muktar, Shimels Tesfaye and Biruk Tesfaye

Aquaculture is growing rapidly worldwide than all other food animal producing sectors but the status of aquaculture in Ethiopia is less developed, limited data and experience are available. But still widespread belief in the country that the potential will raise with newly increasing water bodies, great attention gained from government and opportunities gained for the market because of dramatically changing eating habit in the country. A great challenge in the processes of fish production is the appearance and development of fish diseases. Vaccination is an important disease management strategy used to maintain human and animal health worldwide. Vaccines developed for aquaculture have reduced antibiotic use in fish production. Currently, vaccines are available for some economically important bacterial and only few vaccines for viral diseases and no vaccine developed for fish parasites and fungus. Major limitations in fish vaccine developments are less understanding of fish immunology, many vaccines unlicensed, not cost effective (expensive) and stressful on administration. It is hoped that next generation vaccines relied on multiple killed antigens delivered with an adjuvant to enhance vaccine effectiveness. The present review will focus on the present status of fish vaccination for controlling fish diseases, and shows the needs and directions for future investigations. New vaccination strategies, aquaculture expansion and disease investigation center should be initiated in Ethiopia. Strong coordination should be created between pharmaceutical companies and academic research for a better development of live fish vaccines.