KHV is a serious viral disease of fish and is a listed disease in the United Kingdom. It affects all varieties of common and ornamental carp species (Cyprinus carpio) and can result in large scale mortalities. Fish with KHV disease may show the following signs, especially when water temperatures are between 16 to 28 °C:
- necrotic (white or brown) patches on the gills
- rough patches on the skin and sloughing mucous
- sunken eyes
You must contact the FHI if you suspect an outbreak of KHV. This includes fish with the above signs, or deaths of carp or carp hybrids.
There is no risk to public health.
Confirmed designation
If a notifiable disease is confirmed, FHI places controls to limit the spread of disease (these are known as confirmed designations). The following conditions are applied under disease controls:
- No person may, without the previous consent in writing of the FHI, move any aquatic animal including eggs, and gametes, into, out of or within a confirmed designation area.
- Disposal of dead aquatic animals, including eggs and gametes, must be by an approved method for disposal of Category 2 animal-by-product waste in compliance with local Environmental Health department requirements
- Notify the Fish Health Inspectorate immediately should mortalities re-occur or spread to other waters within the designated area.
- Ensure the disinfection of all angling equipment such as unhooking mats, nets and weigh slings, prior to being removed from the designated area (exclusion of rods, reels and fishing line accepted). For this purpose, maintain on-site facilities for the disinfection of angling equipment upon exit from the designated area, as directed by the Fish Health Inspectorate. Maintain efficacy of disinfectant solutions in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
- The use of dedicated angling equipment supplied by the fishery is permitted, for sole use within the designated area.
- Display disease control zone signage on site for public information, as issued by the Fish Health Inspectorate.
- Notify the FHI in advance of all intended physical changes to sites within the designated area – such as site boundaries, number or size of waters, use of the site. FHI written permission will be required beforehand for all such changes.
- All requests for consents required under this Confirmed Designation Notice must be submitted to the FHI with a minimum of 5 working days’ notice.
New outbreaks
When laboratory testing confirms KHV disease at a site, the FHI place statutory controls to limit the spread of the disease. These controls restrict movement of aquatic animals and ensure equipment is disinfected.
Sites with KHV disease must undergo a formal monitoring programme for the duration of the calendar year immediately following the outbreak. The FHI visit these sites to look for evidence of disease and to inspect compliance with the conditions of the statutory controls in place. The controls are removed if the disease doesn’t reoccur during this period.
Some sites choose to cull and disinfect their stocks, rather than undergo monitoring.