Thursday, August 14, 2008

Koi Herpesvirus disease outbreak confirmed

Movements of fish in and out of the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Ponds at Hyde Hall, Essex have been restricted, following the confirmation of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) Disease.

Apparently the RHS was willing to accept donations of fish from members into their ponds!!

Defra has issued a Designated Area Order prohibiting the movement of fish to and from Hyde Hall (Top and Bottom Pond), Royal Horticultural Society, Hyde Hall, Hyde Hall Road, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford, Essex. Samples were taken from the affected pond 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. There are no implications for human health.

It became a legal obligation to notify suspicion of KHV Disease on 6th April 2007. The measures developed in partnership between government and industry to help combat outbreaks were announced on 21st May. Suspicion of the presence of the disease should be immediately reported to: the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in Weymouth.