Laguna fish growers appeal gov’t help vs. tilapia virus threat

Laguna Lake fish growers are asking government for assistance amid threats of a lake virus attacking tilapia fish.

A report on "Unang Balita" on Thursday said fish growers fear that the Tilapia Lake Virus (TLV), with reported cases in Thailand, Israel and Egypt, might also contaminate Laguna Lake.

Local growers are asking the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to examine water samples from the lake as well as the fish.

One of the signs of TLV infection are scars in the body of the fish, the report quoted the BFAR as saying.

But BFAR said that eating TLV-infected tilapia has no effect on people, but the virus can kill the fish. —LBG, GMA News