Centre For Environment Fisheries Aquaculture Science
If you suspect a listed fish or shellfish disease
Listed diseases of fish and shellfish are diseases that youre legally obliged to report immediately to the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), Cefas, even if you only suspect that an animal may be affected. They are also referred to as notifiable diseases.
Listed diseases can be:
- endemic already present in GB, such as Koi herpesvirus (KHV)
- exotic not normally present in GB, such as Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS)
The listed diseases of fish and shellfish are in Commission Regulation (EC) 1251/2008 as amended by the Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, at Chapter 2 and Annex 1A , and Schedule 1 of The Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009.
If you suspect or know of a listed disease of fish and shellfish in England and Wales you must report it immediately to the FHI. You must also tell theFHIimmediately if you know or suspect that increased mortality has occurred. Failure to do so is an offence and you could be fined up to 5,000.
Disease status for England and Wales
Fish
| Listed disease | Disease status |
|---|---|
| Bacterial kidney disease (BKD) | Not recognised as free. National controls for the disease only |
| Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis (EHN) | Declared free |
| Gyrodactylus salaris (GS) | Declared free |
| Infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) | Declared free |
| Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) | Declared free |
| Koi herpesvirus disease (KHV) | Undetermined |
| Spring viraemia of carp (SVC) | Declared free |
| Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) | Declared free |
Crustaceans
| Listed disease | Disease status |
|---|---|
| Taura syndrome | Declared free |
| Yellow head disease | Declared free |
| White spot disease | Undetermined |
Molluscs
| Listed disease | Disease status |
|---|---|
| Bonamia exitiosa | Declared free |
| Bonamia ostreae | Declared free except control areas Menai Strait, Lizard to Start Point, Portland Bill to Selsey Bill, North Foreland to Landguard Point and St Anns Head to Linney Head |
| Perkinsus marinus | Declared free |
| Marteilia refringens | Declared free except control area River Tamar |
| Mikrocytos mackini | Declared free |
| Oyster herpesvirus | Declared free except control areas Poole Harbour, River Teign Lee-over-sands to Port Richborough, ButleyCreek, and Essex, Kent and Suffolk, |
Disease investigation and control
If the FHI suspects a listed or emerging disease:
-
an Initial Designation Notice is made to prevent further spread of disease from the affected area by restricting movements of fish or shellfish, and through application of additional biosecurity measures when required. An initial designation notice is not made public.
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theFHIwill carry out a disease investigation which includes collection of samples to test for the disease. Depending on the tests required it can take 14 days or more from receipt of sample at the laboratory to getting results. TheFHIwill advise the site operator on what to expect and keep them informed of progress.
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if the tests are negative and listed or emerging disease is ruled out the Initial Designation Notice is lifted.
If a listed disease is confirmed:
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a Confirmed Designation Notice (a legal order restricting movements of aquatic animals into, out of and within the affected area) is made to prevent or limit the spread of the disease from the affected area. A Confirmed Designation Notice is published on GOV.UK and signs may be put up in the affected area to inform the public.
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further controls may include restricting vehicle and equipment movements, restricting site activities (like disposal of waste) or any other activity that could spread the disease, and additional biosecurity measures (like use of on-site equipment disinfection) may also be required.
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the FHI investigate where the disease came from and whether it has spread