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BFAR: No outbreaks of diseases in tilapia and shrimps in Taal Lake, Laguna de Bay
By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS, GMA News The recent cases of fish mortality in the Taal Lake and Laguna De Bay were not caused by an outbreak of diseases but instead by abrupt weather changes, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Tuesday.
"(T)here is no outbreak of diseases in tilapia or shrimp and that the recent cases of fish mortality in the Taal Lake and Laguna de Bay area were caused by low dissolved oxygen due to abrupt weather changes," it said in a statement.
According to BFAR, there have been no outbreaks, and the bureau has been monitoring the transport or movement of tilapia and shrimp for grow out since 2015.
The BFAR said such measures have prevented the spread of diseases such as the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), the Acute Hepatonpacreatic Necrosis Disease/Early Mortality Syndrome (APHND/EMS), and the Tilapia Lake Virus (TilV).
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"The DA-BFAR would like to emphasize that these diseases do not pose any risk to human health," it said.
"Should the fish commodities be affected by the said diseases, they are still safe for human consumption, provided that they are fresh and thoroughly washed and cleaned before cooking," BFAR added.
On Monday, BFAR Region IV-A Director Sammy Malvas said the deaths have been caused by the lowering of oxygen level or a sudden change in temperature. He also warned the public against the tilapia lake virus, which may cause widespread deaths among the fish.—AOL, GMA News