WIREDGOV

Koi herpesvirus disease outbreaks confirmed

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 13 August 2009

193/08 Movements of fish into, out of and within a fishery in Cambridgeshire have been restricted, following the confirmation of koi herpesvirus disease.

Cefas, acting on behalf of Defra, has issued a Confirmed Designation prohibiting the movement of fish into, out of and within the affected site. The affected fishery is Long Island Lake, Earith, Cambridgeshire and the designation also includes nearby Earith Carp Lakes.

Under the requirements of the designation both fisheries have been directed to either, establish and maintain on-site facilities for the disinfection of angling equipment at all access points or, to provide anglers with nets, mats and slings for exclusive use on the affected fisheries. Anglers must comply with these requirements.

Samples were taken from Long Island Lake following reported deaths of fish.

Koi Herpesvirus disease affects all varieties of carp (Cyprinus carpio), including common carp, mirror carp, ghost carp and koi carp and can result in high rates of fish mortalities.

There are no implications for human health.

Koi herpesvirus disease is notifiable, any suspicion of its presence should be immediately reported to:

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in Weymouth

Tel: 01035 206700

E-mail:fhi@cefas.co.uk

Notes to editors:

CD 35/ 2009, issued under the Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 restricts the movement of any live fish, including their eggs and gametes, into, out of or within the designated area without the prior written consent of the Fish Health Inspectorate at Cefas.

The designated area is:

CD 35/ 2009 - Long Island Lake, Earith, Cambridgeshire and includes nearby Earith Carp Lakes. The designated area has a central national grid reference of TL39057591

Clinical signs of the disease may include white or necrotic patches on the gills, rough patches on the skin, sloughing mucous and sunken eyes. These signs usually appear when water temperatures are between 16 and 28 degrees centigrade

Further information is available at www.efishbusiness.co.uk, or from Cefas, Fish Health Inspectorate, Weymouth Laboratory, The Nothe, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB. Tel: 01305 206700 or e-mail: fhi@cefas.co.uk

Contacts:

Defra Press Office
NDS.DEFRA@coi.gsi.gov.uk

James Dubrey
Phone: 020 7238 6027
james.dubrey@defra.gsi.gov.uk