British Columbia Fisheries Minister John Van Dongen says there is only a low risk that diseased farmed salmon could pass the infectious virus IHN to wild stocks.

The David Suzuki Foundation has called for the destruction of all farmed salmon on the Pacific Coast to prevent further outbreaks.

IHN has been found in Atlantic salmon stocks in at least three West Coast fish farms. Suzuki Foundation director Jim Fulton says the disease has the potential to destroy wild stocks, and he wants the government to act now.

His suggestions is to kill all of the farmed salmon. But Van Dongen says that is not an option right now.

He's waiting to hear from veterinarians and scientists before taking the step of ordering the destruction of all farmed salmon. "I will certainly consider that advice if its given to me, but I don't expect to get that advice."

Van Dongen says despite the recent outbreak, he's not worried. The risk of IHN spreading to wild stocks is low.

"The biggest concerns is for the farms themselves. They've reported these incidents, and they are making their decisions on whatever basis they think is appropriate."

Van Dongen says the fish farms affected have followed all of the appropriate regulations in dealing with the disease.