[2] The virus was first discovered and identified in 2014 when the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret Lake) in Israel experienced a major noticeable decline in tilapia catch quantities.

[citation needed] Electron microscopy has revealed tilapia lake virus to be an enveloped particle with a helical nucleocapsid[4] that is 55–100 nm in diameter.

Scientists previously thought it might belong to the family Orthomyxoviridae because they carry several surface glycoproteins that recognize and bind to sialic acid receptors on the target cell membrane.

[11] The 5' and 3' noncoding termini of TiLV include 13 similar nucleotides, this enables base pairing and replication, transcription, and packaging of viral RNA as a result of the formation of secondary structures.

This short uninterrupted sequence resembles that of the 5 to 7 uridine nucleotides found in many other orthomyxoviridae, this occurs when the viral polymerase "stutters" while assembling poly(A) tails.

[4] 'in addition, experimental infection shows histologic lesions on the brain such as edema, focal hemorrhages in the leptomeninges, and capillary congestion in both the white and gray matter.

[4] Some Egyptian farms' TiLV infected fish displayed hemorrhagic patches, detached scales, open wounds, discoloration, and fin rot though some were co-infected with aeromonas .

[16] Skin congestion and erosion, discoloration, abnormal behavior, lethargy, loss of appetite, pallor, anemia, exophthalmia, and abdominal swelling have been observed signs of pathology in Thailand.

[7] Salmon anemia orthomyxoviruses, influenza, and Thogoto have also been said to have similar replication to that of TiLV due to organization of nucleotide sequences in transcription enabling base pairing.

[citation needed] Restriction of the movement of live tilapines between farms or fisheries is thought to limit the spread of the viral disease to new species, as well as maintaining clean practices and sanitizing equipment in these areas.

Worldwide trade of tilapia has huge economic impact as an industry that brings in approximately 4.5 million metric tons of product and $7.5 billion annually.

[5] This industry is a major employer in China, Egypt, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador and Honduras with the United States as the lead importer.