Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission

The Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission (the Aquatic Animals Commission), created in 1960, is responsible for overseeing developments of the Aquatic Animal Health Code (the Aquatic Code) and Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals (the Aquatic Manual) and ensuring that they reflect current scientific information.

The Aquatic Animals Commission comprises six members, who are elected by the World Assembly of Delegates for a three-year term. The members are internationally recognised specialists with a broad understanding of the major diseases of aquatic animals addressed by the Aquatic Code and with expertise in surveillance, diagnosis, prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases or methods, welfare of farmed fish, and experience in international trade in aquatic animals and aquatic animal products.

The Aquatic Animals Commission collaborates closely with the Code Commission and Biological Standards Commission for scientific expertise as well as to ensure harmonised approaches, as appropriate.

The Internal rules, Terms of reference of the Aquatic Animals Commission and Qualifications of its members can be found in the Basic Texts (pp. 6-7):

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Aquatic Animals

To learn more about the importance of aquatic animals and the WOAH Aquatic Animal Health Strategy 2021-2025:

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Winter	Summer/Autumn
February 2026
February 2025	September 2025
February 2024	September 2024
February 2023	September 2023
February 2022 Part A Part B	September 2022
February 2021 Part A Part B	September 2021
February 2020	September 2020
February 2019	September 2019
February 2018	September 2018
February 2017	September 2017
February 2016	September 2016
March 2015	October 2015
February 2014	September/October 2014
February 2013	September/October 2013
March 2012	September 2012
February 2011	October 2011
February 2010	October 2010
March 2009	September 2009
March 2008	October 2008
March 2007	October 2007
March 2006	October 2006
January 2005	August 2005
January 2004	October 2004
January 2003	June 2003, October 2003
January 2002	June 2002
February 2001	September 2001
February 2000	September 2000

NB: The reports are in the form of large .pdf files that take some time to download. Please be patient.

Technical disease cards

• Infection with Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei
• Infection of covert mortality nodavirus (CMNV)
• Infection with Megalocytivirus pagrus1

Summary of susceptible species

Background 

A systematic approach to review the lists of susceptible species was initiated in 2015. Potential host species were assessed against Chapter 1.5. Criteria for listing species as susceptible to infection with WOAH listed diseases to determine susceptibility to infection. Those species assessed as susceptible and adopted by the World Assembly are listed in the relevant Article X.X.2 of the Aquatic Code. The assessments also identified susceptible species with incomplete evidence which are included in the relevant Sections 2.2.1. and 2.2.2. of the Aquatic Manual.  

All assessments are undertaken by WOAH ad hoc Groups and are published on the WOAH website.  

Note: On occasions, the list of susceptible species provided in the  Aquatic Code and Aquatic Manual may differ from the assessments provided in an ad hoc Group report because reassessments may have been undertaken due to new scientific information. These assessments and decisions are only reported in the reports of the Aquatic Animals Commission. 

Purpose 

The objective of these documents is to provide all relevant information in one place about the assessments undertaken for each host species assessed, whether by an ad hoc Group or the Aquatic Animals Commission including a link to where the assessment for that species can be found and the year of adoption for any changes to the species listed in the Aquatic Code and Aquatic Manual.  

This document is updated on an annual basis to reflect any changes adopted at the WOAH General Session each May.  

Note: As of May 2025 the assessments for 28 of the 31 listed diseases have been completed and the remaining work is in progress expected to be completed by 2027. 

The purpose of this template (in PDF in Word) is to provide pre-publication validation data so that Aquatic Animals Commission can consider inclusion of proposed tests in the WOAH Aquatic Manual. Only tests that have been validated to level 2 will be considered for inclusion in the Aquatic Manual. If the proposed assay is accepted for inclusion in the Aquatic Manual.

Before filling in this form and submitting an application, applicants should consult Chapter 1.1.2 of the WOAH Aquatic Manual

Please consult validated report:

• YHV1

Other Reports

• Surveillance for viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus infection
• Surveillance for infection with Bonamia Ostreae

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Work Programme for the Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission 2025–2027

Chapter	Subject	Summary of the work	Status – February 2026
			Stage of consideration	Remarks (Month when draft text first circulated for comment /# of rounds for comment)	Priority order *
Aquatic Code
Ch. 1.1.	Notification of diseases, and provision of epidemiological information	Discussed with Code Commission to ensure consistency and clarity on revisions.	First circulation for comments.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Feb 2026/1)	1
Ch. 1.4.	Aquatic animal disease surveillance	Reviewed Ch. 1.4. to consider if revision required following the update of Ch. 4.3.	First circulation for comments	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Feb 2026/1)	1
Ch. 4.2.	Application of zoning	Draft revision of the chapter taking into account work in Terrestrial Code.	Preparatory work	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	2
Ch. 4.3.	Application of compartmentalisation	Revision of the chapter to focus on compartmentalisation. Members engaged through a questionnaire and discussion paper.	Circulated for comments	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Feb 2025/3)	1
Ch. 4.7.	Fallowing in aquaculture	Review of Ch. 4.7. following the drafting of Ch. 4.X. ‘Emergency disease preparedness’ and Ch. 4.Y. ‘Disease outbreak management’.	To be proposed for adoption in May 2026.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Feb 2025/3)	1
Section 5	Trade measures, importation/exportation procedures and health certification	Revision of chapters in Section 5 to ensure useability for trade purposes	To discuss priority of chapters to revise at September 2026 meeting.	Refer to Sept 2025 AAHSC report (Sept 2025/1)	1
Ch. 5.Y.	New introductory chapter to Section 5	Taskforce between AAC and TCC convened and drafted chapter.	First circulation for comments.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Feb 2026/1)	1
Ch. 5.1.	General obligations related to certification	Update certification procedures to align with Codex (e-certification).	Ad hoc Group to convene in summer 2026.	Refer to Feb 2025 AAHSC report	2
Ch. 5.2.	Certification procedures	Update certification procedures to align with Codex (e-certification).	Ad hoc Group to convene in summer 2026.	Refer to Feb 2025 AAHSC report	2
Ch. 5.11.	Model health certificates for international trade in live aquatic animals and aquatic animal products	Update certification procedures to align with Codex (e-certification).	Ad hoc Group to convene in summer 2026.	Refer to Feb 2025 AAHSC report	2
Ch. 6.2.	Principles for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in aquatic animals	Ad hoc Group provided Commission with draft chapter.	First circulation for comments.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Feb 2026/1)	1
Section 7	Welfare of farmed fish	Commission reviewed report on current science for welfare of farmed fish and to publish for Member consultation.	Request Member feedback on papers prepared by service provider.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	1
Ch. 8.1.	Infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis	Update the susceptible species list in each chapter following an assessment against the criteria outlined in Ch. 1.5. ‘Criteria for listing species as susceptible to infection with a specific pathogen’.	Not started	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	3
Ch. 8.2.	Infection with Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans	Update the susceptible species list in each chapter following an assessment against the criteria outlined in Ch. 1.5. ‘Criteria for listing species as susceptible to infection with a specific pathogen’.	Not started	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	4
Ch. 8.3.	Infection with Ranavirus species	Update the susceptible species list in each chapter following an assessment against the criteria outlined in Ch. 1.5. ‘Criteria for listing species as susceptible to infection with a specific pathogen’.	Not started	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	4
Ch. 9.2.	Infection with Aphanomyces astaci (Crayfish plague)	Updated the susceptible species list in each chapter following an assessment against the criteria outlined in Ch. 1.5. ‘Criteria for listing species as susceptible to infection with a specific pathogen’.	To be proposed for adoption in May 2026.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Sept 2025/1)	1
Ch. 10.3.	Infection with Gyrodactylus salaris	Revised the usage of pathway 2 to declare freedom from disease, following discussion at 2025 General Session	To be proposed for adoption in May 2026.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Sep 2025/1)	1
Ch. 10.4.	Infection with salmon anaemia virus	Revised the targeted surveillance required for HPR0 for declaring a free compartment.	To be proposed for adoption in May 2026.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Sep 2025/1)	1
Disease-specific chapters	Update viral names in X.X.1.	Update the viral names of relevant pathogenic agents based on current information in ICTV	To be proposed for adoption in May 2026.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Sept 2025/1)	1
Disease-specific chapters	Model Article X.X.7.	Revise article on freedom of compartments to reflect revisions on Chapter 4.3.	First circulation for comments	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Feb 2026/1)	1
N/A	Emerging diseases	Review emerging diseases	Standing agenda item	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	1
Aquatic Manual
Ch. 1.1.2.	Validation of diagnostic assays for infectious diseases of aquatic animals	New chapter for validation of diagnostic assays for infectious diseases of aquatic animals.	Preparatory work – revision of chapter ongoing.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	1
Ch. 2.1.0.	General Information	To create a general information chapter.	Not started	Refer to Sept 2025 AAHSC report	4
Ch. 2.1.1.	Infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis	Update the chapter to the new template for disease-specific chapter.	Preparatory work – looking for appropriate experts	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	4
Ch. 2.1.1.	Infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis	Sections 2.2.1. and 2.2.2. Update the susceptible species list in each chapter following an assessment against the criteria outlined in Ch. 1.5. ‘Criteria for listing species as susceptible to infection with a specific pathogen’.	Not started	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	4
Ch. 2.1.2.	Infection with Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans	Sections 2.2.1. and 2.2.2. Update the susceptible species list in each chapter following an assessment against the criteria outlined in Ch. 1.5. ‘Criteria for listing species as susceptible to infection with a specific pathogen’.	Not started	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	4
Ch. 2.1.3.	Infection with Ranavirus species	Update the chapter to the new template for disease-specific chapter.	Not started	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	4
Ch. 2.1.3.	Infection with Ranavirus species	Sections 2.2.1. and 2.2.2. Update the susceptible species list in each chapter following an assessment against the criteria outlined in Ch. 1.5. ‘Criteria for listing species as susceptible to infection with a specific pathogen’.	Not started	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	4
Ch. 2.2.2.	Infection with Aphanomyces astaci (Crayfish plague)	Sections 2.2.1. and 2.2.2. Update the susceptible species list in each chapter following an assessment against the criteria outlined in Ch. 1.5. ‘Criteria for listing species as susceptible to infection with a specific pathogen’.	To be proposed for adoption in May 2026.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Sept 2025/1)	1
Ch. 2.2.5.	Infection with infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus	Expert consultation to update EVE in chapter.	Expert consultation	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	2
Ch. 2.3.5.	Infection with infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus	Update the real-time PCR assays following publication of new peer-reviewed validated methods.	Preparatory work	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	1
Ch. 2.3.7.	Infection with Megalocytivirus pagrus1	New chapter for infection with Megalocytivirus pagrus1, which was listed in the Aquatic Code in May 2024	Preparatory work – interlaboratory comparison	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	1
Ch. 2.3.9.	Infection with spring viraemia of carp virus	Update the real-time PCR assays following publication of new peer-reviewed validated methods	Preparatory work	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	2
Ch. 2.3.X.	Infection with tilapia lake virus	New chapter for infection with tilapia lake virus, which was listed in the Aquatic Code in May 2022	Preparatory work	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report	1
Ch. 2.4.2.	Infection with Bonamia exitiosa	Update the case definition	Circulated for comments	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Sep 2025/2)	1
Ch. 2.4.3.	Infection with Bonamia ostreae	Update the case definition	Circulated for comments	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Sep 2025/2)	1
Ch. 2.4.4.	Infection with Merteilia refringens	Update the case definition	Circulated for comments	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Sep 2025/2)	1
Ch. 2.4.5.	Infection with Perkinsus marinus	Update the chapter to the new template for disease-specific chapter.	To be proposed for adoption in May 2026.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Sep 2025/2)	1
Ch. 2.4.6.	Infection with Perkinsus olseni	Update the chapter to the new template for disease-specific chapter.	To be proposed for adoption in May 2026.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Sep 2025/2)	1
Ch. 2.4.7.	Infection with Xenohaliotis californiensis	Update the chapter to the new template for disease-specific chapter.	To be proposed for adoption in May 2026.	Refer to Feb 2026 AAHSC report (Sep 2025/2)	1
Disease specific	Update of tables 2.2.1. and 2.2.2. of susceptible species	Review susceptible species tables.	Not started	Will be included in September 2026 agenda	2

* Description of priority order
1	active work for the AAHSCto be put forward for next meeting agenda
2	active work for the AAHSCto be included in next meeting agenda if time allows, depending on other progress
3	not immediate work for the AAHSCneeds to progress before consideration for next meeting agenda
4	not activenot to be immediately started

List of abbreviations
AHG	Ad hoc Group
Ch	Chapter
HQ	WOAH Headquarters
AAHSC	Aquatic Animal Health Standard Commission