Information Bulletin ref: CD02/2011

Date: 13^TH June 2011

Movements of fish into, out of and within a fishery in Northamptonshire have been restricted, following the confirmation of Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC).

Cefas acting on behalf of Defra has issued a confirmed designation prohibiting the movement of fish to, from and within Crockwell Farm, Eydon, Northamptonshire, NN11 3QA

Samples were taken from the affected site following reported deaths of fish.

SVC affects all species of carp, goldfish, tench, orfe and Wels catfish and can result in high rates of fish mortalities.

There are no implications for human health.

SVC is a notifiable disease, any suspicion of its presence should be immediately reported to:

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in Weymouth
Tel: 01305 206700
E-mail:fhi@cefas.co.uk

Failure to immediately notify the competent authority of the presence or suspicion of any listed disease (including SVC) is an offence under The Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009.

Notes to editors:

• CD02/2011, issued under the Aquatic Animal Health, England and Wales Regulations 2009 restricts the movement of any live fish, including their eggs and gametes, into, out of or within the designated area without the prior written consent of the Fish Health Inspectorate at Cefas.
• The designated area is : Crockwell Farm, Eydon, Northamptonshire, NN11 3QA with a central national grid reference of SP56105003.
• The Fish Health Inspectorate is working with the full cooperation of the fishery owner in the management and control of this disease outbreak.
• Clinical signs of the disease may include swollen abdomen/dropsy with protruding vent and possible faecal casts. Haemorrhaging at the base of the fins and vent. And exophthalmia and pale gills. These signs usually appear when water temperatures are between 5º-18ºC
• SVC has been controlled as a notifiable disease since 1973. This is the first outbreak of SVC in a managed fishery since 2007.
• Following the completion of a national control programme G.B. was declared free from SVC in 2010. The European Commission has been informed of this outbreak of SVC.
• Further information is available at www.defra.gov.uk/aahm , or from Cefas, Fish Health Inspectorate, Weymouth Laboratory, The Nothe, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB. Tel: 01305 206700 or e-mail: fhi@cefas.co.uk