Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed an oral vaccine that protects fish from nervous necrosis virus (NNV), a highly contagious pathogen causing massive losses in aquaculture worldwide. The breakthrough, announced on June 29, 2026, offers a practical solution for vaccinating large fish populations without the stress of injection.
The vaccine, delivered through feed, triggers a strong immune response in fish, significantly reducing mortality from NNV. According to the NUS team, oral administration is more scalable and cost-effective than traditional injectable vaccines, making it accessible to fish farms of all sizes.
NNV affects over 120 fish species, including grouper, sea bass, and barramundi, and can cause up to 100% mortality in larvae and juveniles. The new vaccine targets the virus's coat protein, inducing both systemic and mucosal immunity.
The NUS team is now working with industry partners to commercialize the vaccine, with field trials planned in Southeast Asia. If successful, this could revolutionize disease management in aquaculture, reducing economic losses and improving food security.
