Abstract:
Tilapiais a traditional and favorite dish in almost all countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the second most
produced fish worldwide. A deadly viral disease caused by Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) currently threatens tilapia
production. This study aimed to describe TiLV disease, discuss its related socio-economic impacts in SSA, and envisage
preventive measures applicable in SSA countries. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and Research Gate
were searched. Results reveal that TiLV is an RNA virus causing the disease of over 90% mortalities in tilapia. It
attacks early developmental stages of tilapia, transmitted horizontally between fish, and is a potential trade-influencing
transboundary animal disease. It is currently confirmed in six countries: Ecuador, Israel, Colombia, Egypt, Thailand and
Taiwan. 10 SSA countries have likely imported TiLV infected tilapia fingerlings from hatcheries in Thailand and
Tanzania, Burundi, Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia are suspected
infected with TiLV. Approximately 6 Million jobs with subsequent 18 million livelihoods are expected to be affected.
Food insecurity is likely to hit over 400 Million lives in the course of TiLV disease. An estimate of US$ 3 billion per
year could be lost in SSA countries due to TiLV. In SSA, technologies to achieve effective control of TiLV based on
measures suggested by OIE, and FOA do not exist. There is a crucial need for capacity building among farmers and
technical personnel on prompt diagnostic procedures and effective remedial action and establishment of outbreak
response systems.
