KOI NEWS V1-1

KOI NEWS For the Producer and the Trade
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10 July 2002 : Vol 1 : No 1

CONTENTS
- OIE reports suspected outbreak of KHV in Indonesia.

- Editorial comment

- Our Mission

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KOI HERPESVIRUS - ANOTHER OUTBREAK SUSPECTED.

This time it is Indonesia. According to a report from the OIE, the international watchdog agency for reporting epizootics (rapid spreading diseases affecting large portion of a population), an infectious disease similar to KHV is causing major mortalities in the Koi and carp populations in Indonesia. I quote verbatim from their report Disease Information, 28 June 2002, Vol 15 No 26,:

KOI HERPESVIRUS INFECTION IN INDONESIA
Suspicion

Extract from a report by Dr Akhmad Rukyani, Director, Directorate of Fish Health and Environment, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Jakarta, received on 26 June 2002 from Dr Sofjan Sudarjat, Director General of Livestock Services, Department of Agriculture, Jakarta:

Report date: 26 June 2002.

A serious disease outbreak among koi carp and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is currently occurring in Indonesia, having started in the area of Blitar in East Java in mid-April 2002. Since then, it has spread rapidly throughout Java Island, causing very high mortality (80-90%) in both common carp and koi carp, with an estimated loss of more than 50 billion IDR (approximately 5 million USD).

Diagnosis

Clinical signs in infected fish include severe gill necrosis, lots of mucus, superficial haemorrhages, fin rot and enlargement of kidney and liver with haemorrhages and discoloration.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the Fish Health Officers from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, suggest a viral infection based on the pattern of outbreak and the clinical signs characteristic of herpes virus of koi carp (KHV). Laboratory examinations are in progress.

Epidemiology

Indonesia has not experienced a disease of this nature in the past. The disease is suspected to have been introduced through importation of koi carp from another country.

Control measures

No clear effective measures can be applied to control the disease. The Government of Indonesia has officially declared Java Island as an isolated area for the disease. The movement of koi carp and common carp from Java Island to other islands is strictly prohibited. In addition, importation of koi carp and common carp into Indonesia is temporarily not permitted.

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EDITORIAL COMMENT

It is quite clear that the KHV is still in the wild and will continue to have a major impact on Koi farming in particular and the Koi trade in general. The financial implications of an outbreak in any area is enormous and the damage to the industry permanent as some Koi hobbyists loose heart and change their koi pond into expensive water features, or even worse, fill it up with sand.

The Koi Herpes Virus first appeared in 1998 with mass mortalities of koi in Israel. Since then there have been reports of outbreaks from all over the world, not all of which could be substantiated with scientific evidence. But the list is growing and some areas have a reoccurring tenancy.

Rigid control measures are essential for all of us in the Koi trade if we are to contain the spread of infectious diseases like the KHV that are eating away at our profits.

In the next issue of KOI NEWS I will discuss the question of effective quarantining as a control measure against KHV and other such animals.

Totsiens

Servaas de Kock

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OUR MISSION: This free Newsletter is intended to share information of interest to the Breeders, Exporters, Importers and Dealers of Koi internationally. It is not intended for the average hobbyist. Your feedback or criticism of whatever kind will be valued. If you want to update me on whatever is happening in your part of the world, I will be delighted. The idea is to serve the Koi industry and keep commercial content out. If I make mistakes, well, correct me if you can substantiate your claim. Please forward this to anyone you think might be interested in our subject matter.

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