Ulcerative dermal necrosis
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Seatrout_UDN_saprolegnia.jpg/220px-Seatrout_UDN_saprolegnia.jpg)
Ulcerative dermal necrosis (UDN) is a chronic dermatological disease of cold water
The onset of symptoms occurs after migration into freshwater.[1] Affected fish develop severe skin lesions which begin on the head and back, and near the tail.[2] Lesions become infected with overgrowths of oomycetes, such as Saprolegnia,[1] giving the affected areas a slimy blue-grey appearance.[2] The most severely affected fish frequently die before spawning.[citation needed]
Although the worst effects of the disease were seen in the 1970s and 1980, even now large numbers of salmon will succumb to the disease after spawning. This is thought be due in part to their weak post-spawning condition, and lack of food for several months whilst in the river.[citation needed]
References
- ^ ISBN 9781444332827.
- ^ ISBN 9780412321405.