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Fisheries Science of Ukraine, 2026; 3(77): 208-229
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61976/fsu2026.03.208
UDC 639.3.09:616.995.1:311.42(477)

Received: 31.07.2026
Received in revised form: 29.08.2026
Published: 30.09.2026

Trends in the spread of fish argulosis in Ukraine: retrospective monitoring for 2014–2025

N. Hrynevych, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0001-7430-9498, Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, Bila Tserkva
O. Lytvynenko, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ,ORCID ID 0009-0003-0682-8917, State Scientific Research Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, Kyiv
G. Aliekseieva, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0001-6158-5960, State Scientific Research Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, Kyiv
O. Miroshnichenko, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0009-0001-0445-1963, State Scientific Research Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, Kyiv
U. Yanenko, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0001-5678-3356, State Scientific Research Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, Kyiv

Purpose. To analyze data from state veterinary reporting on the registration of fish argulosis in Ukraine for 2014–2025 to assess the dynamics and territorial features of the registration of the invasion, determine the frequency of its detection and establish the main trends in the spread of argulosis.

Methodology. The study was conducted based on a retrospective analysis of the results of epizootic monitoring of fish argulosis in Ukraine for two time periods: 2014–2019 and 2020–2025. The material for the study were data from state veterinary reporting in form No. 2-Vet “Report on the work of state laboratories of veterinary medicine”. Argulosis was diagnosed by parasitological studies using light microscopy and morphological identification of parasites. The analysis used disease prevalence rates, laboratory test results, and regional monitoring data. The obtained data were grouped according to the regional principle and time intervals, which allowed assessing the spatiotemporal features of the spread of argulosis in Ukraine.

Findings. In 2014–2019, argulosis had significant epizootic significance for the Ukrainian fisheries. The highest level of infestation was recorded in 2014 (8.2%), after which there was a gradual decrease to 1.7% in 2018 and a slight increase to 3.6% in 2019. In 2020–2025, the average prevalence of the disease was slightly lower with pronounced fluctuations. The minimum infestation rate was in 2021 (0.2%), and the maximum was in 2023 (3.3%). Significant regional differences in the spread of the invasion have been recorded. In 2014–2019, the most infected were Chernivtsi, Ternopil, Sumy, Kirovohrad, Odesa and Kyiv regions, while in 2020–2025, the main foci of argulosis were concentrated in Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv regions. The results obtained indicated the preservation of the circulation of Argulus spp. in Ukrainian water bodies and confirm the need for constant epizootic monitoring, improvement of preventive measures and forecasting of the risks of disease outbreaks.

Originality. It consists in analyzing the long-term dynamics of the spread of fish argulosis in Ukraine based on a comparison of the results of state monitoring for 2014–2019 and 2020–2025.

Practical Value. The results of the study can be used to improve the epizootic monitoring system for fish argulosis in Ukraine, assess the risks of spreading the invasion, and develop preventive measures in fish farms. The obtained data are relevant for specialists in the field of veterinary medicine, ichthyopathology, aquatic bioresources, and aquaculture.

Keywords: Argulus spp., ichthyopopulations, epizootic monitoring, infestation, aquaculture, fisheries, ichthyopathology.

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