Page 17 - BKKS National Show Programme 2018 highres_Neat

Taking advice angler take precautions before going fishing again. It is also
possible he introduced the disease to Scott‘s pond and with
Scott rang my laboratory and his description of the KHV confirmed he could infect a fishing lake or river unless
appearance and behaviour of his sick fish suggested he sterilises his net. The fish keeper who used his own
several causes. It is impossible to diagnose correctly nets, Koi socks and bowl fortunately had not needed them
without an examination and on arrival in my facilities the in his pond and he has been given an appropriate product
Sanke was in a moribund state and whilst dying and beyond to sterilise them. Viruses are complex pathogens, they
treatment it was suitable for examination. I was aware of mutate to complicate their study, and there are now several
the origins of Scott’s fish and they had all been purchased strains of KHV and outbreaks can differ. The disease is
from one biosecure specialist Koi dealer. Biosecurity is a changing and research has proven that the virus has certain
misunderstood term and whilst my company has tried capabilities that will in the near future alter the current
to create a standardised approach to the preparation perception of KHV although such details are for another
of Koi for sale there are dealers that do not have article.
the appropriate facilities or are unable to conform to a
protocol that makes them fully biosecure. However, in Prevention
this case Scott’s supplier was one of the best dealers in the
country. Scott not only brought a fish to the laboratory he Scott being a careful Koi-keeper was well aware that
supplied water samples and a list of the materials used in lamination materials could be a health risk to his Koi so
the repair work. As Scott outlined everything his fish had he had asked questions. When his fish became ill, he still
been subjected to there were risk factors that had to be suspected the product used in the repair and whilst this
eliminated , however, until my examination was complete was the focus of his concern if applied correctly, fibreglass
I was not going to speculate as that either raises hope or is fish safe. Cases in which the actual materials have been
deepens concern. harmful to fish are invariably due to bad workmanship.
Martin and Harry are professionals in the lamination industry
Pathology not the aquatic industry. If a professional pond construction
company carried out the pond repair, the outcome might
It was obvious Scott had anticipated many of the pitfalls have been different as those that work in aquatics are more
Koi keepers encounter when their pond develops a leak likely to be aware of the need for hygiene measures with
.However, once the examination was complete, it was my equipment. Nevertheless, everyone who helped Scott had
sad task to tell Scott that his fish had contracted a strain the very best of motives and that has never been in doubt.
of Koi Herpesvirus commonly known as KHV. He was
naturally extremely shocked and we discussed all the ways Robust Fibreglass
in which the disease could have found its way into his pond
to devastate his pet Koi collection. I noted he had several Harry wondered how such a lengthy hairline crack occurred
helpers during the repair project and I questioned the in the fibreglass, as it is a highly durable and safe pond
sources of the equipment they used in his pond, as it was construction material. I cannot be certain in Scott’s
unlikely they all had ponds. I advised him how to care for his situation, however, having been involved in similar cases
Koi as the disease progresses and suggested he kept busy considerable damage to ponds has been traced to the
investigating all the items used to take his mind off his Koi. type of heavy machinery used in large building projects
and not always in close proximity to the damaged pond.
Gathering facts Fish health problems have resulted and litigation has forced
construction companies to protect Koi ponds before building
Scott discovered that he had been preoccupied when can continue. In other cases, building contractors have
dealing with a family issue and Martin had hired nets, Koi paid for Koi to be housed elsewhere in temporary facilities
bowls, and a water pump to empty the pond faster from and that is far from ideal for Koi keepers let alone their pet
the aquatic centre that supplied the vats and he had not fish due to the stress such an upheaval can cause. What
remembered this. Most of the helpers had used the hired happened to Scott is a rare event although it serves as
nets and other items although one had brought their own an example of what can happen to the most careful Koi
different sized nets and two Koi socks. A local angler also keeper. Scott is still a hobbyist as fortunately, he had many
lent a hand thankfully leaving his rod at home although we survivors, and despite being carriers of KHV he can keep
learned his keep-net was in the pond for hours when the them as long as he never gives any away and never lends
Koi were being netted. Scott also found out that Harry had a anyone his pond equipment.
wildlife pond and he too had used his own net. Scott puzzled
over why I wanted to trace everyone and I explained that Other Precautions
there are far wider issues than he realises in how fish
diseases are spread irrespective of what the primary hosts In this case, disease was introduced on pond equipment
for any specific disease might be. and having spoken to those involved the source has been
traced and further cases eliminated. The most common
Contacting helpers cause of disease outbreaks is through the purchase of
unquarantined Koi or those whose origins are unknown such
There are numerous areas to consider when dealing with as Internet sales. Even a fish from someone else’s pond no
a virus, as Scott soon understood when I stopped him matter how healthy it appears can spread disease. Pond
from putting his Goldfish in his father’s pond. He felt they maintenance companies are employed to clean ponds and
would be happier as they were healthy and his Koi were filters and staff cannot be expected to be aware of all the
still recovering from disease. He now appreciates that potential risks posed by their equipment. Pond vacuums and
after a KHV outbreak all fish species should remain in their nets may go into several ponds a day and whilst the better
home pond with the Koi that survive. Whilst there are fish companies wash equipment between ponds, such methods
species that are not susceptible to KHV, anyone involved are not adequate to deal with every type of disease. The
with Scott’s pond that has contact with any fish species safe approach is for Koi keepers to invest in a pond vacuum
needs to be aware of factors regarding the biology of KHV. and if unable to carry out maintenance personally for any
It is vital that the aquatic outlet that supplied equipment is reason they can still ensure that only the equipment they
contacted. They could be the source of the disease via the have provided is used.
hired items and if innocent, they need to sterilise all the
equipment Scott returned. It is also very important that the
17

BKKS National Show Programme 2018.indd 17 07/06/2018 12:38