Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
2001, Vol 1, Num, 1 (Pages: 67-74)
Modeling of Fish Disease Dynamics: A New Approach to an Old Problem
Hamdi Ögüt 1
1 Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Department of Fisheries, 61530 Çamburnu, Trabzon, Turkey
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In the past, the focus of fish disease research was on various aspects of fish pathogens (biochemical, serological,
virulence etc.) rather than the disease itself. Therefore, vast amounts of data are available on the responses of these
pathogens to environmental and host related factors. Modeling of these accumulated data could be employed to understand
the relative importance of the factors influencing the spread of disease. In particular, the data obtained from intensive
aquaculture systems could be robust in applying modeling due to fewer assumptions involved. Each animal in a pond
situation is exposed to the same conditions. Therefore, the chance of coming into contact with an infectious agent or animal
is the same for each individual sharing the same pond. Thus, nonlinear relationships between various factors effecting disease
outcome can be evaluated more efficiently, and realistic predictions can be obtained.
In this paper, it was intended to review knowledge on basic modeling concepts of fish disease dynamics.
Accomplishing this goal would provide insight into the relative importance of parameters playing a major role in disease
outbreaks.
Keywords :
fish diseases, epizootiology, disease dynamics, dynamic modeling, epidemiology