Norwegian Veterinary Institute

Latest from Norwegian Veterinary Institute

1. News article1 Oct 2026

   Fish Welfare Forum turns 10: salmon mortality falls in 2026, but data standardisation and sharing remain unresolved

   • Fewer farmed salmon died in 2026 than the year before, but the goal of fewer than 5 in 100 fish dying has still not been reached.
   • Counting how many fish die is not enough — researchers also need to know why they die and track other signs of poor welfare.
   Animal welfareAquacultureScience
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2. News article21 Sept 2026

   Antibiotic resistance in Norwegian animals and food remains low, with antibiotic sales to land animals at a record low in 2025

   • Every year, the Norwegian Veterinary Institute checks whether bacteria in animals and food have become resistant to antibiotics. The 2025 report (NORM-VET) shows Norway is still in good shape.
   • Resistance levels in cattle and pigs have stayed consistently low for ten years. Results for cats match the last time they were tested, in 2022.
   AgricultureAquacultureFood safety
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3. News article10 Sept 2026

   Norway's Veterinary Institute tested nearly 38,000 prion samples from domestic animals in 2025 to keep fatal brain diseases out of the food chain

   • In 2025, the Norwegian Veterinary Institute analysed nearly 38,000 samples for prion diseases: approx. 20,000 from sheep/goats, 12,000 from cervids and 6,500 from cattle.
   • Prion diseases (TSE — transmissible spongiform encephalopathies) are caused by misfolded proteins, not bacteria or viruses; they have long incubation periods, no treatment and no vaccine, and are always fatal.
   Animal welfareFood safetyPredators and wildlife
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4. News article10 Sept 2026

   Norway's Veterinary Institute tests nearly 38,000 samples annually to keep deadly prion diseases out of the food supply

   • In 2025, the institute analysed nearly 38,000 samples: approximately 20,000 from sheep/goats, 12,000 from cervids and 6,500 from cattle.
   • Prion diseases (TSEs) are caused by misfolded proteins, have incubation periods of several years, are always fatal, and have no treatment or vaccine – making early surveillance critical.
   AgricultureFood safetyPredators and wildlife
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5. News article8 Sept 2026

   New modelling framework shows combination treatments and cleaner fish reduce sea lice resistance and treatment needs

   • The three-year project 'Helhetlig lusekontroll' (Integrated Sea Lice Control) was led by the Norwegian Veterinary Institute and funded by FHF, in collaboration with Norsk Regnesentral, Aqualife R&D, NMBU and PHARMAQ.
   • The project developed a new sea lice modelling framework with modules for resistance development, cleaner fish, production, mortality and transmission to wild fish, enabling scenario simulations at farm and area level.
   Animal welfareAquacultureFisheries
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6. News article3 Sept 2026

   Norwegian Veterinary Institute designated as WOAH reference laboratory for crayfish plague

   • The Norwegian Veterinary Institute has been officially designated as WOAH's reference laboratory for crayfish plague, a deadly disease in freshwater crayfish caused by the oomycete Aphanomyces astaci.
   • Senior researcher David A. Strand is appointed WOAH reference expert and leads the national surveillance programme, which uses environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect infection in affected waters.
   Animal welfareNatureScience
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7. News article3 Sept 2026

   Norwegian Veterinary Institute designated as global WOAH reference laboratory for crayfish plague

   • WOAH has officially designated the Norwegian Veterinary Institute as its international reference laboratory for crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci), with senior researcher David A. Strand appointed as reference expert.
   • The institute has worked with the disease since Norway's first outbreak in 1971 and already serves as the national reference laboratory for crustacean diseases.
   FisheriesNatureScience
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8. Report3 Sept 2026

   Study reveals large gap between Tanzania's One Health policies and local AMR practice

   • Tanzania is widely regarded as a regional frontrunner on One Health and AMR, with multiple national strategies — yet One Health was only partially visible at district level in Mwanza and Kilimanjaro regions.
   • Researchers developed a new tool, the One Health Rapid Qualitative Assessment (OH-RQA), measuring One Health integration in daily governance across five dimensions: thinking, planning, collaboration, sharing, and learning.
   AgriculturePublic administrationPublic health
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9. News article31 Aug 2026

   Rotenone treatment and large-scale chlorine trial against salmon parasite Gyro ongoing in the Drammen region in 2026

   • Around 50 personnel are treating Sandeelva/Vesleelva, Selvikelva, Bergerelva, Ebbestadelva and coastal streams between Holmestrand and Svelvik with rotenone in week 36 — the second year of a four-year plan.
   • For the first time at large scale, chlorine is being tested in the Drammen river: stage one Embretsfoss–Hellefoss 26 Aug.–11 Sept., stage two Hellefoss–river mouth 25 Sept.–6 Oct.
   FisheriesNatureScience
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10. News article25 Aug 2026

    H5N5 avian influenza confirmed in a second Svalbard polar bear – virus likely circulating in the population, disproportionately affecting young individuals

    • The Norwegian Veterinary Institute confirmed HPAI H5N5 in brain and nasal samples from a young polar bear found dead on Æøya, Spitsbergen; samples collected by the Governor of Svalbard in June 2026.
    • This is the second detection in a polar bear in Norway and Europe; the first was in Raudfjorden in May 2026, approximately 23 km away. Globally, HPAI in polar bears has been scientifically published three times: Alaska August 2023, Raudfjorden May 2026, and now.
    NaturePredators and wildlifePublic health
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