83.4—VHS-regulated fish and VHS-regulated areas.
(a)
(1)
APHIS will list as a VHS-regulated fish any fish species found in freshwater to be susceptible to the North American (type IV) strain of VHS virus under natural (i.e., non-controlled) conditions of exposure and from which VHS virus has been isolated in cell culture or other assay determined by the Administrator to be adequate to detect VHS virus, with confirmation of strain identity through genetic sequencing. Anadromous fish that have migrated into freshwater and from which VHS strain type IV(a) has been isolated will not be considered VHS-regulated fish.
(2)
If APHIS determines that, in accordance with the criteria in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a species should be added to the list of VHS-regulated species, APHIS will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing that determination.
(b)
(1)
APHIS will list as a VHS-regulated area each State or portion of a State from which VHS virus has been detected in any VHS-regulated fish species (with or without clinical signs of disease) in a water source that is not a secure water source, or which the Administrator determines should be regulated based on criteria such as inadequate surveillance or movement requirements, or other epidemiologic information.
(2)
If the Administrator determines that a State or portion of a State meets the criteria in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, APHIS will publish a notice of its decision in the Federal Register and take comments from the public. The designation as a VHS-regulated area will become effective upon publication of this notice. After reviewing the comments, APHIS will issue a second notice in the Federal Register announcing its decision on whether or not the designation as a VHS-regulated area will remain in effect.
(c)
APHIS maintains the lists of VHS-regulated fish and VHS-regulated areas on the APHIS aquaculture Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/aquaculture. The lists may be obtained from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, National Aquaculture Program, 4700 River Road Unit 46, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231.