Another Koi Herpesvirus disease outbreak confirmed

Siri Elise Dybdal Samples were taken from the affected site at Wagtail Fishery, in Grantham, Lincolnshire, following reported deaths of fish. 

According to DEFRA, KHV disease poses a serious socio-economic threat to the UK carp industry, affecting in particular the recreational angling and ornamental fish sectors, both of which have significant economic value.  

Evidence suggests that KHV has been present in England since 1996, when viral DNA was detected in carp samples from a warm water recirculation facility in Derbyshire. The facility was importing ornamental fish, including koi carp, and supplying both the ornamental trade and fisheries in the UK. 

However, until 2003 KHV had only been detected and isolated from sites in the UK holding imported ornamental carp.

In 2003 KHV was detected in common carp for the first time in England, during investigations into large mortalities in angling waters. Further detections of KHV were subsequently made at a small number of angling waters in 2004 and 2005, before the number of outbreaks reported and confirmed increased to 23 sites in 2006. The number of outbreaks has fallen back to earlier levels since then, with only 10 confirmed in 2007 and 12 in 2008. 

Earlier this year, Defra launched a consultation on which health status would be most appropriate for England and Wales, in respect of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) disease.