Biosecurity and Vaccines for Emerging Aquatic Animal RNA Viruses

Emerging RNA viruses pose a critical threat to aquatic animals, leading to significant ecological and economic consequences. Their high mutation rates and genetic adaptabil-ity drive rapid evolution, cross-species transmission, and expanding host ranges, com-plicating disease management. In aquaculture, RNA viruses are responsible for major outbreaks in fish, while DNA viruses predominate in crustaceans. Marine mammals are increasingly affected by morbilliviruses and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, which has caused widespread mortality events in pinniped and cetacean popula-tions, raising concerns about zoonotic spillover. The absence of effective antiviral treat-ments and the complexity of vaccine development highlight the urgent need for enhanced biosecurity measures. Furthermore, novel vaccine approaches, such as self-assembling protein nanocage platforms, offer promising solutions for RNA virus mitigation. This re-view provides a comprehensive analysis of the emergence and significance of RNA virus-es in aquatic animals, with a particular focus on biosecurity and vaccine development.