DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (Information
Bulletin ref : 268/08) issued by The Government News Network on 12
August 2008
Movements of fish
in and out of the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Ponds at Hyde
Hall, Essex have been restricted, following the confirmation of
Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) Disease.
Defra has issued a Designated Area Order prohibiting the movement
of fish to and from Hyde Hall (Top and Bottom Pond), Royal
Horticultural Society, Hyde Hall, Hyde Hall Road, Rettendon
Common, Chelmsford, Essex.
Samples were taken from the affected pond following reported
deaths of fish.
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.
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. 5)
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 is Hyde Hall (Top and Bottom Pond), Royal
Horticultural Society, Hyde Hall Road, Rettendon Common,
Chelmsford, Essex and comprises the waters and the land in the
area bounded by an imaginary line drawn from the following
Ordnance Survey grid references: TQ78279951 straight to
TQ78379951, then straight to TQ78409939, then straight to
TQ78299937 and returning to TQ78279951.
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 15C and 28C.
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;
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on our website http://www.defra.gov.uk
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