In this study, we investigated the mechanism of cell death in rhabdovirus-infected cells, chinook salmon embryonic cell line (CHSE-2l4) infected with hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV). Studies using light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, TUNEL method, electron microscopy, and agarose gel electrophoresis revealed changes in the cell morphology and DNA fragmentation indicative of apoptosis in early infection. It was observed that HIRRV induced apoptosis as well as necrosis in infected cells.