OUTBREAK OF SPRING VIRAEMIA OF CARP IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has issued an Order prohibiting the movement of fish to and from the Wetlands Waterfowl Reserve in Nottinghamshire following an outbreak of a contagious viral disease in common carp.The Order (Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) Order 2002) 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.
The Order was issued on Tuesday 30 April,after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Sping Viraemia of Carp (SVC), a notifiable disease under the Diseases of Fish Act 1937.

The designated area is the Back Lake at the Wetlands Waterfowl Reserve, Sutton Cum Lound, Retford, Nottinghamshire together with the Match Lake and surrounding area which when mapped by the Ordnance Survey, fall within an area bordered by the following grid references: SK 69350 85470, SK 69670 85500, SK 69650 85250, SK 69350 85150 The outbreak of SVC in a lake on the reserve has no implications for human health, but SVC is a serious viral disease which can kill common and ornamental carp as well a variety of other species including roach, rudd,tench, pike, Wels catfish, orfe and goldfish. Fish Health Inspectors are investigating the source of the outbreak and tracing any fish which may have been in contact with fish at the infected site.

The clinical signs of SVC can include darkening of the skin, swollen eyes, abdominal swelling, pale gills, trailing faecal casts and protrusion of the anus Infected fish may be lethargic and show areas of bleeding in the gills and skin. SVC is widespread in continental Europe. In 1988 there was a major outbreak in England and Wales with 40 sites affected. Prior to 1988 only four cases had been recorded in Great Britain. There were two isolated cases in 1991, 22 in 1994, 14 in 1995, 3 cases in 1996, 7 cases in 1997, 4 cases in 1998, 1 case in 1999, and 1 in 2001. Anyone noting deaths of carp or any other species of fish susceptible to SVC should immediately contact the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Weymouth Laboratory, on 01305 206684
Anyone who imports, keeps or retails carp or other susceptible fish should take strict precautions to prevent the spread of SVC and follow the advice set out in DEFRA's advisory booklet Combating Fish Disease".

Copies of the booklet "Combating Fish Disease" are available on the DEFRA website www.defra.gov.uk/fish/fishfarm/index.htm or free from CEFAS, Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB. Tel: 01305 206673/4, fax: 01305 206602, e-mail:fish.health.inspectorate@cefas.co.uk Further information on SVC can also be found on the members area.