Outbreak of serious carp disease declared at popular fishery near Crewe

By Ryan Parker 1st Nov 2022

An outbreak of a serious fish disease affecting all varieties of common and ornamental carp species has been declared at a nearby fishery - located just outside Crewe

Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease has been found at a number of locations in England and Wales.

Disease control measures were applied at Mere Moor Fisheries, Top End Farm, Barthomley, on Wednesday (September 28) - an approximate area of 523,368 square metres.

Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease has been found at a number of locations in England and Wales (gov.uk).

The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) have kept measures in place at the South Cheshire fishery since.

What is Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease?

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.

Mere Moor Fisheries underwent a formal monitoring programme - immediately following the outbreak (gov.uk).

What control measures is Mere Moor Fisheries undergoing?

Sites with KHV disease must undergo a formal monitoring programme - immediately following the outbreak.

The FHI visit these sites to look for evidence of disease.

They also inspect compliance with the conditions of the statutory controls in place.

What conditions must be applied in the disease control area?

KHV affects all varieties of common and ornamental carp species (Cyprinus carpio) and can result in large scale mortalities (Mere Moor Fisheries).

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.

The Fish Health Inspectorate should immediately be contacted should mortalities re-occur or spread to other waters within the designated area.

The FHI must be notified 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.