The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) have found Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease in fish at the following sites in England and Wales
The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) have found Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease in fish at the following sites in England and Wales.
KHV is a serious viral disease of fish and is a listed disease in the United Kingdom. It affects all varieties of common and ornamental carp species (Cyprinus carpio) and can result in large scale mortalities. Fish with KHVdisease may show the following signs, especially when water temperatures are between 16 to 28 °C:
- necrotic (white or brown) patches on the gills
- rough patches on the skin and sloughing mucous
- sunken eyes
You must contact the FHI if you suspect an outbreak of KHV. This includes fish with the above signs, or deaths of carp or carp hybrids.
There is no risk to public health.
New outbreaks
When laboratory testing confirms KHV disease at a site, the FHI place statutory controls to limit the spread of the disease. These controls restrict movement of aquatic animals and ensure equipment is disinfected.
Disease controls have been applied at:
Controls lifted
Sites with KHV disease must undergo a formal monitoring programme for the duration of the calendar year immediately following the outbreak. The FHIvisit these sites to look for evidence of disease and to inspect compliance with the conditions of the statutory controls in place. The controls are removed if the disease doesn’t reoccur during this period.
Some sites choose to cull and disinfect their stocks, rather than undergo monitoring.
Diseases controls lifted at:
- Swallow Aquatics, Rayleigh – 20 July
- J & K Aquatics Ltd Wholesale unit – Black Vat system and the Retail Unit, Somerset – 13 August
- Blagdon Water Gardens – Systems containing susceptible species, Somerset – 13 August
- Watermarque Yeovil – Systems containing susceptible species, Somerset – 13 August
