• 한국어병학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.81-98
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• 2021

As Korea declared that the entire country is free from ISA (Infectious salmon anaemia) based on the OIE aquatic code in 2019, it is necessary to improve the import quarantine system that meets the level of ISA management in Korea. Currently, Korea imports Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout from countries which have history of ISA outbreak such as Norway and the United States, so there is a constant possibility that trade with these countries will bring ISAV (Infectious salmon anaemia virus) into Korea. Therefore, some amendments to the Aquatic Life Diseases Control Act (ALDCA) are needed to prevent the entry of ISAV into the Korea through international trade. The amendment to the ALDCA should contain a list of countries, zones or compartments that the Korean competent authority has allowed or banned imports of ISA-susceptible fish. In addition, the subordinate statutes or administrative rules of the ALDCA need to be revised so that on-site inspections/audit can be conducted for the evaluation of the ISA management system in exporting countries. After the revision of the subordinate statutes or administrative rules, it is necessary to strengthen the present import conditions in line with those that meet the level of ISA management in Korea. As for the strengthened import conditions, the competent authorities of exporting countries must export only salmonid fish produced in zones or compartments declared freedom of ISA to Korea, and must prove through lab-testing that ISAV should not be detected in the fish exporting to Korea. In addition, official veterinarians/fish health professionals of the exporting country should check the health status of the fish within 72 hours prior to export. Also, competent authorities of the exporting countries must attest that fish storage containers and water, ice and other equipment used for transportation should be cleaned and disinfected to avoid contamination with pathogens, including ISA. Therefore, the proposed measures presented here will further improve the current import condition for salmonid fish and assist decision-making on strategies to reduce the risk of ISA introduction into Korea. Also, it is expected to contribute to maintain the status of ISA-free country.