Outbreak of deadly Koi herpesvirus detected by Fish Health Inspectorate at Muskham Lakes near Newark
A serious and contagious fish disease has been found at a site in Nottinghamshire. *warning graphic images*
The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) have found Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease in fish at Muskham Lakes near Newark.
KHV is a serious viral disease which affects all varieties of common and ornamental carp species and can result in large scale deaths.
Fish with KHV disease may show the following signs, especially when water temperatures are between 16C to 28C:
- necrotic (white or brown) patches on the gills
- rough patches on the skin and sloughing mucous
- sunken eyes
If you suspect and outbreak of KHV you must contact the FHI with details about fish with the above signs, or deaths of carp or carp hybrids.
Although deadly to fish, there is no risk to public health.
Sites with this disease must undergo a formal monitoring programme immediately following the outbreak.
The FHI visit these sites to look for evidence of disease and to inspect compliance with the conditions of the statutory controls in place.
If a notifiable disease is confirmed, a number of measures will be put in place to limit the spread of disease.
The following conditions are applied under disease controls:
- No person may, without the previous consent in writing of the FHI, move any aquatic animal including eggs, and gametes, into, out of or within a confirmed designation area.
- Disposal of dead aquatic animals, including eggs and gametes, must be by an approved method for disposal of Category 2 animal-by-product waste in compliance with local Environmental Health department requirements
- Notify the Fish Health Inspectorate immediately should mortalities re-occur or spread to other waters/facilities within the designated area.
- Notify the FHI in advance of all intended physical changes to sites within the designated area - such as site boundaries, number or size of waters, use of the site. FHI written permission will be required beforehand for all such changes.
- All requests for consents required under this Confirmed Designation Notice must be submitted to the FHI with a minimum of 5 working days’ notice.
