The division conducts research and provides diagnostic and advisory services within the area of diseases in aquaculture.
The research focuses on the development of methods to detect microorganisms – in particular viral agents – that cause disease in aquaculture. An important research focus is methods for the prevention of specific infections, for example through the development of vaccines. Our research programmes are funded by Danish or international agencies, notably by the EU.
Our customers are farmers or veterinary practitioners. In addition, the division has a close colla¬boration with the Danish veterinary authorities in an advisory function, and we are part of the Danish contingency plans for control of exotic animal infections. In recent years this collaboration has mainly been on the control of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia and other reportable infections.
The division is national reference laboratory for infectious diseases in fish. We are also EU community reference laboratory for fish diseases. This task involves advising the EU Commission on the eradication or control of diseases in aquaculture, but also in the development of new diagnostic tests. Another important obligation of the CRL is the contribution to national reference laboratories in EU member states to help ensure that prescribed diagnostic methods are implemented correctly.
The Division is led by Head of Division Flemming Bager.