Infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) was diagnosed in Finland for the first time on November 30th, 2017. The virus was found in routine surveillance in rainbow trout in a marine farm located in the municipality of Ii in Northern Ostrobothnia. Investigations to determine the prevalence of the disease revealed the virus also in a neighbouring rainbow trout farm, in an inland brood stock farm and in a fishing pond in the municipality of Tervo, in a small backyard pond in the municipality of Kaavi and in a fishing pond in the municipality of Nurmes. Altogether, IHN was detected in 6 locations.
Finnish Food Authority set up restriction zones around the infected establishments and eradication programs were carried out. All the fish in the infected farms/ponds were destroyed and facilities were cleaned, disinfected and fallowed according to the EU legislation. No new cases have been found since January 2018. The origin of the infection is still unclear.
Eradication programs, including 2-year surveillance programs, have been completed and IHN free status has been restored to these areas in Septermber 15th 2021.
Picture 1. Map of the IHN eradication program areas in Finland in 2017-15.9.2021
Backgroud map © National Land Survey of Finland, 2021