Article
Details
Citation
Megarani DV, Martyniuk CJ, Yanong RPE, Pierezan F, Surachetpong W & Subramaniam K (2026) Tracing a Decade of Tilapia Lake Virus Research: Breakthroughs, Challenges, and Projections. Reviews in Aquaculture, 18 (3), Art. No.: e70148. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.70148
Abstract
Tilapia are one of the most farmed fish groups worldwide, with global production exceeding 6.55 million tons in 2022, generat-ing an estimated market value of approximately USD 20.9 billion. Tilapia are favored for their fast growth rate, adaptability tovarious farming environments, and high nutritional value as a protein source. However, the tilapia industry has encountered asignificant challenge with the emergence of tilapia lake virus (TiLV), first noted in 2014. This highly contagious virus has thepotential to devastate tilapia populations, leading to substantial economic losses and raising serious concerns about food securityin countries reliant on this fish for livelihoods and sustenance. The rapid spread of TiLV and its significant impact on the tilapiaindustry have led to widespread concerns among stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers. In response, there has been anincreasing focus on research and development of effective strategies to control and manage TiLV infections. This review paperaims to provide a comprehensive overview of the substantial advancements in the understanding of TiLV, delving into its geneticvariation and manipulation, molecular pathogenesis, epidemiology, transmission pathways, clinical signs, diagnosis, and theunderlying pathogenesis of the virus. Additionally, we summarize the current knowledge on the potential impact of TiLV on theglobal tilapia industry and the measures being implemented to control its spread. Finally, we discuss ongoing scientific effortstoward the development of vaccines and other innovative strategies for effectively managing TiLV infections, highlighting theimportance of continued research to secure the future of tilapia aquaculture on a global scale.
Keywords
aquaculture; syncytial hepatitis; tilapia; tilapia lake virus; transboundary
Journal
Reviews in Aquaculture: Volume 18, Issue 3
| Status | Published |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 30/06/2026 |
| Publication date online | 30/04/2026 |
| Date accepted by journal | 23/03/2026 |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| ISSN | 1753-5123 |
| eISSN | 1753-5131 |
People (1)
Professor in Microbiology, Institute of Aquaculture