Koi herpesvirus disease

20 July 2016

A number of cases of koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease have recently been confirmed in the UK.

KHV is a serious viral disease of fish, affecting all varieties of common and ornamental carp (Cyprinus carpio) and can result in high rates of fish mortalities. Clinical signs of KHV 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.

Anyone noting deaths in carp or carp hybrids, with signs of disease similar to those above, or are suspicious of notifiable disease in any aquatic animal, should immediately contact the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) at Cefas by emailing fhi@cefas.co.uk or calling 01305 206700.