KOI HERPESVIRUS DISEASE OUTBREAK CONFIRMED

Information Bulletin ref: 301/08

Date: 11 September 2008

Movements of fish in and out of three fisheries, in Somerset, South Yorkshire and Worcestershire, have been restricted following the confirmation of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) Disease.

Defra has issued Designated Area Orders prohibiting the movement of fish to and from:
• The Old Mill Fishery, Stoford, Yeovil, Somerset;
• Pine Lake Fisheries, Oak Field Farm, Kirton Lane, Thorne, Doncaster, South Yorkshire; and
• Wassell Grove Fisheries, Wassell Grove Lane, Hagley, Worcestershire.

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 6 April 2007. The measures developed in partnership between government and industry to help combat outbreaks was announced on 21 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. 8) Order 2008, The Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 9) Order 2008, and The Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 10) Order 2008, issued under the 1937 Diseases of Fish Act (as amended), restrict 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 areas are:
• For The Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 8) Order 2008: The Old Mill Fishery, Stoford, Yeovil, Somerset, which comprises the waters and the land in the area bounded by a line drawn from the following Ordnance Survey grid references: ST56581404, straight to ST56681396, then straight to ST56471378, then straight to ST56341379, then straight to ST56281390, then straight to ST56451391 and returning to ST56581404.

• For The Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 9) Order 2008: Pine Lake Fisheries, Oak Field Farm, Kirton Lane, Thorne, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, which comprises the waters and the land in the area bounded by a line drawn from the following Ordnance Survey grid references: SE67001210 following the boundary of Kirton Lane straight to SE67131213, then straight to SE67181194, then straight to SE67041193 and returning to SE67001210.

• For The Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 10) Order 2008: Wassell Grove Fisheries, Wassell Grove Lane, Hagley, Worcestershire and comprises the waters and the land in the area bounded by a line drawn from the following Ordnance Survey grid references: SO93968274 following the course of the stream which forms the eastern boundary of the fishery to SO93818245, then straight to SO93598245, then straight to SO93598282, then straight to SO93768283 and returning to SO93968274.

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°C and 28°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 : www.efishbusiness.co.uk;

Press enquiries 020 7238 6027; Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on our website: www.defra.gov.uk
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