Fish diseases are a major concern for aquaculture where fish are commercially reared. In the Nordic-Baltic countries aquaculture is currently taking place in freshwater fish farms and in marine fish farms. A range of viral diseases can cause devastating losses to fish rearing and wild fish stocks. Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) – also known as “Egtved disease” - is a viral fish disease which affects a large number of freshwater and marine fish. The rainbow trout is very susceptible to the disease. This report provides information on the preparatory work and the conduct a simulation exercise code-named “TROUT 2013”. The aim of the exercise was to test National VHS Contingency Plans.

Fish diseases are a major concern for aquaculture where fish are commercially reared. In the Nordic-Baltic countries aquaculture is currently taking place in freshwater fish farms and in marine fish farms. A range of viral diseases can cause devastating losses to fish rearing and wild fish stocks. Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) – also known as “Egtved disease” - is a viral fish disease which affects a large number of freshwater and marine fish. The rainbow trout is very susceptible to the disease. This report provides information on the preparatory work and the conduct a simulation exercise code-named “TROUT 2013”. The aim of the exercise was to test National VHS Contingency Plans.

Veterinary contingency planning in the Nordic-Baltic countries aims to prepare national veterinary administrations and stakeholders to respond speedily and effectively to an emergency situation caused by highly contagious trans-boundary viral diseases such as avian influenza, foot and mouth disease, and African swine fever. Diseases having a disastrous impact on the livelihood of people working in the livestock sector and related industries.The Nordic and Baltic countries have by and large adopted very similar guidelines for the development of animal health contingency plans; guidelines based on the four pillars: disease prevention, preparatory arrangements, response and recovery.This report contains information on the conduct of a Nordic-Baltic seminar and the recommendations adopted by the seminar participants; the seminar had focus on vaccination, animal welfare, wildlife and costs.

Contingency planning in the area of animal health is all about preparing for threats and outbreaks of exotic disease, i.e. a disease not present in the country. The objective of contingency planning is to encourage livestock keepers, producers and manufacturers of food and feed, veterinarians in the private and public sector and relevant governmental institutions to think about major contingencies and possible response. The planning involves the development of contingency plans based on the four pillars: prevention, preparation, response and recovery and the conduct of simulation exercises.This report presents an overview of contingency planning related to animal diseases, preparedness for natural disasters, experiences gained from outbreaks of African swine fever in Baltic and Eastern European countries and contains the Memorandum of Understanding on a Nordic-Baltic Animal Health Emergency Reserve and on Nordic- Baltic Veterinary Contingency Planning Studies.

Nordic Veterinary Contingency Planning Contingency planning within the area of animal health is based on four pillars: prevention, preparation, response and recovery. The objectives include to encourage animal keepers, veterinarians, producers of food and feed, consumers, private and public institutions involved in food safety to address in the daily work animal disease prevention and possible response related to disease threats and outbreaks. In 2006, the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) adopted a strategy plan to enhance veterinary contingency planning in the Nordic and Baltic countries resulting in the creation of the Nordic-Baltic Veterinary Contingency Group. This publication provides information on contingency planning based on the conduct of seminars, workshops and simulation exercises during 2007 – 2011, not previously available to readers of publications issued by NCM.

Biosecurity is important for a healthy livestock production; it may be defined as the prevention of disease causing agents entering or leaving any place where livestock including poultry are present. A number of biosecurity measures are available to minimize the risk of introducing and of spreading diseases of which some are zoonotic; i.e. diseases transmissible between animals and humans. This report provides information on biosecurity measures safeguarding animal health and animal welfare and it highlights topics such as barriers and motivation to biosecurity, training and education, value of partnership and economy. Broadly speaking biosecurity describes the process and objective of managing biological risks associated with food and feed production in agriculture and fisheries.

Attention to viral infections and pathology previously focussed on diseases of economically important fish. In recent years, however, much new information on molecular virology and oncogenicity derives from viruses occurring in amphibians. New insights into the field of zoonosis were gained by studies of lower vertebrates serving as intermediate hosts in multiple human infections. Certain viruses, e.g. the influenza virus or calicivirus, seem capable of bridging species lines and even the land - sea interface. Global developments in aquaculture are indicated in influenza pandemics. These proceedings present research findings on viruses of fish, amphibians and reptiles, including defence mechanisms, zoonoses, evolutionary considerations and diagnostic approaches.