Koi Disease: The Things You Need To Know About Koi Herpes Virus

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Koi Disease: The Things You Need To Know About Koi Herpes Virus

Thursday, May 7th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

The KHV or Koi Herpes Virus is a deadly virus which has just emerged from the Koi industry. The first outbreak happened in 1998 and 1999 in Israel. Since then, outbreaks have been reported throughout the globe, especially in places like the United States, Asia and Europe.

Like most of the Herpes type of diseases throughout the world, the KHV is believed to remain with the infected fish for life. The fish that have been exposed to the virus at a certain point are immediately considered as carriers! The mortality rate for the fish that has been exposed to this kind of virus would range from 60 to 80 percent.

The reality is these fish are very prone and susceptible to the virus. The only possible way to prevent your fish from getting infected is to make sure that your fish will never get exposed to it. Knowing the disease will lessen the chances of making your fish catch the virus.

Facts about KHV:

A little information has been gathered about the virus since its outbreak in the year 1998, and knowing the necessary facts about the virus will help you to prevent it from spreading into your pond. Once the fish has been exposed to KHV, it will always be a carrier for the rest of its lifespan. Even with the right treatment, these fish shouldn't be transferred to another pond or habitat (you wouldn't want spreading the infection in the pond)?).

Take note that temperature levels at 74 degrees Fahrenheit will activate the disease (a very helpful information as it allows for testing to see if the fish really have the virus or not). Stress do not cause the virus, but it can cause the disease to gain a higher mortality rate. Spreading of the virus will occur if the fish will come in contact with an infected fish; if it will come into contact with the tools used in handling the infected fish; if it will be exposed to the water in which the infected ones swam in; etc. Sad as it is, there's no known cure for the KHV.

Preventative measures to stop the disease from spreading:

If your fish has been diagnosed with the virus, the only effective way to make sure that you don't infect any other fish is by depopulation. This process involves the termination of your entire fish population. It may seem cruel, it's truly the best way to make sure that no other fish will ever catch the virus.

After you purchase your fish, it's good to quarantine it separately from your current population in a period not less than 15 days. Having the knowledge of the exact temperature to activate the disease (which is around 74 degrees Fahrenheit), this will allow you to expose your fish to the right conditions for the virus to show itself. Those that live in these conditions for this given time and don't show any symptoms have lesser chances of contracting the virus.

Total isolation comes with quarantining, and you should not allow anything to come into contact with your infected fish, especially the items that may come into contact with the current population. Use separate tools, food and water. Ensure that those tools you have used for your quarantined pets stay in the area in which they are used always.

Proper procedures in hand washing is needed when handling your Koi and its items within the same timeframe. These necessary steps are helpful in preventing the spread of this disease.

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