Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus

Also known as: Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus

Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) is a significant viral pathogen affecting salmonid fish such as salmon and trout, particularly in the juvenile stage. It belongs to the family Birnaviridae, genus Aquabirnavirus. IPNV is highly contagious and widely distributed, with outbreaks occurring in both hatcheries and wild populations. Young fish are more vulnerable to mortality, whereas adults can carry the virus asymptomatically and transmit it vertically through infected eggs. Clinical signs include darkened body coloration, exophthalmos (“popeye”), ventral hemorrhaging, and pale internal organs including liver, spleen, and kidney. While the virus is a major concern in aquaculture, it poses no risk to human health.

Distribution: Widespread globally
Detection Methods: Gross pathology / gross clinical signs; cell culture (unspecified)
Hosts: Salmon and trout
Target Tissue: Pancreas, liver, kidney, spleen