OUTBREAK OF SPRING VIRAEMIA OF CARP

DEFRA NEWS RELEASE
30 June 2004

Movement of fish to and from Packington Somers Fishery, Broadwater, Maxstoke Lane, Meriden, Nr Coventry, West Midlands has been prohibited following an outbreak of a contagious viral disease in common carp.

The outbreak of Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC) has no implications for human health, but SVC is a serious viral disease affecting common and ornamental carp as well as a variety of other species including tench, roach, rudd, goldfish, pike, and wels catfish.

The Order was issued by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) after tests at the CEFAS Weymouth laboratory confirmed the presence of SVC, a notifiable disease under the Diseases of Fish Act 1937.

Fish Health Inspectors are investigating the source of the outbreak and tracing any fish that may have been in contact with fish at the infected site. Before the Order can be lifted, the site must test negative for SVC for three consecutive years. Alternatively, the Order could be lifted sooner if the infected site underwent an approved clearance and disinfection programme.

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.

Anyone noting deaths of carp or any other species susceptible to SVC, should immediately contact the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Weymouth Laboratory.

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".

Notes for editors

1. The Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No 2) Order 2004 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 Packington Somers Fishery, which when mapped by the Ordnance Survey encompasses the area which falls within the following grid references: SP22108200; SP22708200; SP22708290; and SP21508290 (bounded to the east, but not including, the River Blythe).

3. SVC is widespread in continental Europe. It is also known to occur in other parts of the world. The last major outbreak in the UK occurred in 1988 with 40 sites affected. Prior to 1988 only 4 cases had been recorded in Great Britain. Previous cases include:

1991 - 2 cases
1992 - no cases
1993 - no cases
1994 - 22 cases
1995 - 14 cases
1996 - 3 cases
1997 - 7 cases
1998 - 4 cases
1999 - 1 case
2000 - no cases
2001 - 1 case
2002 - 4 cases
2003 - 2 cases.

This is the second case in 2004, news release 184/04 announced details of the previous outbreak.

4. Copies of the booklet "Combating Fish Disease" are available on the DEFRA website www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/regulat/forms/fish/dof21.htm or free from CEFAS, Fish Health Inspectorate, Weymouth Laboratory, The Nothe, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB. Tel: 01305 206673/74 Fax: 01305 206602 Email: fish.health.inspectorate@cefas.co.uk