The Rwandan ministry of agriculture and animal resources has banned the import of tilapia fingerling as a precautionary measure against the recent Tilapia Lake Virus.
According to the ministry, the country imports most of its fingerlings from China and Uganda, countries now at high risk of the disease. A statement released by the ministry urges all fish farmers to adopt preventative measures to protect their ponds.
“Fish farmers should not exchange their fishery and fish farming equipment, they should take care of their ponds and be attentive to the strange symptoms which may occur to their fish,” the ministry said.
Reports suggest that the Tilapia Lake Virus is rapidly killing tilapia in Tanzania, Egypt, Ecuador and Colombia. - Zoë van Rooyen
