Vector potential of the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis in the transmission of infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV).

The article discusses a study which examined whether Lepeophtheirus salmonis can acquire infectious haemotopoietic necrosis virus (INHV) after water bath exposure and whether Lepeophtheirus salmonis can transmit IHNV to Atlantic salmon Salmo salar. Salmon lice which were bath-exposed to 1x10⁵ plaque-forming units (pfu)/millimeter of IHNV for 1 hour acquired the virus and remained INHV-positive for 12 hours. The study found that the salmon louse acts as a mechanical rather than a biological vector or reservoir.