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NEWS RELEASE

Ref: 225/08
Date: 15 July 2008

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Koi Herpesvirus Disease outbreaks confirmed

Movements of fish in and out of two fisheries, in Derbyshire and Somerset, have been restricted following the confirmation of the serious viral fish disease, Koi Herpesvirus Disease.

Defra has issued Designated Area Orders prohibiting the movement of fish to and from:

  • Press Manor Fishery (Press Reservoir), Birkin Lane, Ashover, Nr Chesterfield, Derbyshire; and
  • Pavyotts Mill Farm, East Coker, Yeovil, Somerset.

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

KHV Disease affects common carp and carp varieties such as Koi.  It can result in high rates of fish mortalities although there are no implications for human health. 

It became a legal obligation to notify suspicion of KHV Disease on 6 April 2007, with measures developed in partnership between government and industry to help combat outbreaks.

Suspicion of the presence of the disease should be immediately reported to: the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in Weymouth who can be contacted on  01305-206673/206674 or fish.health.inspectorate@cefas.co.uk

Notes to Editors

1. The Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 2) Order 2008 and the Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 3) Order 2008, issued under the 1937 Diseases of Fish Act (as amended), restrict the movement of any live fish, or eggs of fish, into or out of the designated areas without the prior written consent of Defra.

2. The designated areas are:

  • For the Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 2) Order 2008: Press Manor Fishery (Press Reservoir), Birkin Lane, Ashover, Nr Chesterfield, Derbyshire, which comprises the waters and the land in the area bounded by an imaginary line drawn from the following Ordnance Survey grid references: SK35456575, straight to SK35706560, then straight to SK36106555, then straight to SK36106540, then straight to SK35806540, then straight to SK35506555, then straight to SK35406570 and returning to SK35456575.
  • For the Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 3) Order 2008: Pavyotts Mill Farm, East Coker, Yeovil, Somerset, which comprises the waters and the land in the area bounded by an imaginary line drawn from the following Ordnance Survey grid references: ST55211324, straight to ST55301325, then straight to ST55301300, then straight to ST54991276, then straight to ST54931279, then straight to ST55001331, and returning to ST55211324.

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.

End

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Page published: 15 July 2008

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs