WIREDGOV

Koi Herpesvirus disease outbreak confirmed

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (291/08) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 4 September 2008

Movements of fish in and out of Earlswood Lakes, Norton Lane, Earlswood, Solihull, West Midlands have been restricted, following the confirmation of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) Disease. Movements of fish in and out of the adjacent waters, known as Mereside Pools have also been restricted.

Defra has issued a Designated Area Order prohibiting the movement of fish to and from Earlswood Lakes and Mereside Pools, Solihull, West Midlands.

KHV Disease affects common carp and carp varieties such as Koi. It can result in high rates of fish mortalities.

There are no implications for human health.

It became a legal obligation to notify suspicion of KHV Disease on 6th April 2007. The measures developed in partnership between government and industry to help combat outbreaks were announced on 21st May 2007.

Suspicion of the presence of the disease should be immediately reported to: the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in Weymouth
Tel: 01305-206673/206674
E-mail: fish.health.inspectorate@cefas.co.uk

Notes to Editors

1. The Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 7) Order 2008, issued under the 1937 Diseases of Fish Act (as amended), restricts the movement of any live fish, or live eggs of fish, into or out of the designated area without the prior written consent of Defra.

2. The designated area incorporates Earlswood Lakes (Engine Pool, Windmill Pool and Terry's Pool) and Mereside Pools, Solihull, West Midlands and comprises the waters and the land in the area bounded by a line drawn from the following Ordnance Survey grid references: SP11257450 following the course of the lane known as Valley Road to SP11707400, following the course of the B1402 road to SP11507320, straight to SP10157385 and returning to SP11257450.

3. KHV disease may be suspected if dead or dying fish with other clinical evidence such as bleeding from the gills, white patches on the gills or skin, sunken eyes and hyperactive behaviour are found in fisheries, other inland waters, fish farms, fish dealers, retailers, aquaria and garden ponds. These signs usually appear when water temperatures are between 15 Degrees C and 28 Degrees C.

4. Details of the statutory and voluntary controls in place to help combat outbreaks of KHV Disease may be accessed from the following web site : http://www.efishbusiness.co.uk;

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