The Fish Health Unit (FHU) of the Marine Institute is the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for finfish, mollusc, and crustacean diseases in Ireland.
The National Reference Laboratory is responsible for developing, validating, and implementing appropriate methods for the testing of fish and shellfish diseases. This is often achieved through collaboration with the European or Community Reference laboratory in their area of expertise.
The NRL is designated by the Competent Authority under Article 17 of the EU Animal Health Regulation 2016/429, on the basis that it has the technical expertise necessary to carry out analysis of samples in relation to diseases of fish and shellfish.
The FHU as the designated NRL for Ireland carries out testing for the diseases specified in EU Animal Health Regulation 2016/429 which lays down rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases which are transmissible to animals or humans.
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View all documentsDiagnostic services
The Fish Health Unit (FHU) has a well-equipped laboratory which facilitates its national and international commitments in relation to the diagnosis and control of fish and shellfish diseases. There are five main sections within the unit: parasitology, histology, bacteriology, virology, and molecular diagnostics.
Parasitology:
Gross pathology and necropsy
Wet mount preparations
Histology/histopathology:
Sampling and fixation of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans for histopathological diagnosis
Histology slide preparation and staining, including storage for retrospective analysis
Microbiology:
Bacterial identification using primary and secondary identification techniques
Virology:
Identification of viral pathogens using BF-2 and EPC cell lines
Monitoring for the presence of VHSV, IHNV and SVCV under active surveillance programmes
Isolation of IPNV and Salmonid alphavirus (causing pancreas disease)
Ability to identify the exotic virus, EHN
Molecular diagnosis:
Identification of all listed pathogens by PCR or RT-PCR
Identification of pathogens of national significance by PCR or RT-PCR
Identification of production pathogens by PCR or RT-PCR
NRL Research Activities
In addition to National Reference Laboratory duties, the laboratory team are involved in several finfish and shellfish research projects.