Edwardsiella ictaluri (also known as enteric septicaemia of catfish, hole in the head disease[2] and ESC) is a member of the family Hafniaceae.

The bacteria can cause either acute septicaemia or chronic encephalitis in infected fish.

Edwardsiella ictaluri can be found in Asia and the United States, being of particular economic importance in the U.S.

Additional clinical signs include abnormal behavior, exophthalmos, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, edema and ascites.

A presumptive diagnosis can be made based on the clinical signs alone but PCR, indirect immunofluorescence, bacterial culture and ELISA can be used to definitively diagnose the disease.