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If you suspect a listed fish or shellfish disease

‘Listed’ diseases of fish and shellfish are diseases that you’re 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 and .

Disease status for England and Wales

Fish

Crustaceans

Molluscs

Disease investigation and control

If the FHI suspects a listed or emerging disease:

1. Disease control measures are applied to a designated area when this is considered appropriate to prevent or limit the spread of that disease. The measures are set out in a legally binding initial designation notice that restricts movements of fish or shellfish to, from, or within the designated area and may require additional biosecurity measures.  An initial designation notice is not made public. It is an offence not to comply with the disease control measures applied under an initial designation.    

2. When the FHI makes an initial designation, they will carry out a disease investigation, which includes collection of samples to test for the disease in question. Depending on the tests required it can take 14 days or more from receipt of sample at the laboratory to getting results. The FHI will advise the site operator on what to expect and keep them informed of progress. 

3. if the test results are negative for the disease under suspicion and listed or emerging disease is ruled out the initial designation notice is lifted.

If the test results are positive and a listed or emerging disease is confirmed: 

1. The FHI will make a confirmed designation when this is needed to prevent or limit the spread of disease. The confirmed designation is issued in the form of a legally binding notice that restricts the movement of fish and shellfish to, from, or within the designated area. It can also restrict the movement of equipment, materials, substances and means of transport that could spread disease and may require additional actions and biosecurity measures to be taken. Confirmed designation notices are made public, including through publication on °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï and signs may be put up in and around the affected area. You must comply with any disease control measures in the notice. Failure to do so is an offence. 

2. The FHI will investigate where the disease may have come from and whether it may have spread. This can include tracing movements of fish and shellfish, and considering links such as shared water supplies, equipment or transport. If needed, the FHI may place controls on other sites to prevent or limit further spread. 

3. A confirmed designation notice stays in force until the FHI is satisfied that either (a) the listed disease or emerging disease is no longer present in the confirmed designation area, or (b) continued designation is no longer necessary or proportionate for the purposes of official disease control.

Controlling serious disease outbreaks

The Contingency Plan for Exotic Notifiable and Emerging Diseases of Aquatic Animals in England and Wales outlines how government and its operational partners prepare for and respond to serious outbreaks of listed and emerging diseases.

How to prevent the introduction and spread of listed diseases

Prevention is the best approach to disease control. You can protect fish and shellfish from serious diseases by being vigilant about stock health and husbandry, quick to report any stock health concerns to the FHI, and by:

• following strict biosecurity practices. All authorised aquaculture production business must follow an approved biosecurity measures plan.

• following the regulatory requirements

• knowing the health status of the animals you are buying or moving

• report suspicion of listed disease in fish and shellfish to the Fish Health Inspectorate as soon as possible

Outbreaks of fish and shellfish disease

For up to date confirmed disease outbreaks in England and Wales.

Read the regulations

Listed fish and shellfish diseases are controlled by law under the .

Contact

Fish Health Inspectorate
Cefas Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB 

Email: fhi@cefas.gov.uk

Telephone: 01305 206700

For urgent enquiries, including reporting disease suspicion, a 24/7 on-call service is available via this number.