Listed diseases of fish, molluscs and crustacea and their status

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 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.

Disease status for England and Wales

Fish

Crustaceans

Molluscs

Disease investigation and control

If the FHI suspects a listed or emerging disease:

1. anDisease Initialcontrol Designationmeasures Noticeare applied to a designated area when this is madeconsidered appropriate to prevent furtheror limit the spread of diseasethat fromdisease. theThe affectedmeasures areaare byset restrictingout in a legally binding initial designation notice that restricts movements of fish or shellfish,shellfish andto, throughfrom, applicationor ofwithin additionalthe biosecuritydesignated measuresarea whenand required.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. the When the FHI will makes an initial designation, they will carry out a disease investigationinvestigation, which includes collection of samples to test for the disease.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 The FHI will will advise the site operator on what to expect and keep them informed of progress.progress. 

3. if the teststest results are negative for the disease under suspicion and listed or emerging disease is ruled out the Initialinitial Designationdesignation Noticenotice is lifted.

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

1. The FHI will make a Confirmedconfirmed Designationdesignation Noticewhen (athis legalis orderneeded restrictingto movementsprevent or limit the spread of aquaticdisease. animalsThe into,confirmed outdesignation ofis andissued withinin the affectedform area)of isa madelegally tobinding preventnotice orthat limitrestricts the spreadmovement of thefish diseaseand fromshellfish to, from, or within the affecteddesignated area. AIt Confirmedcan Designationalso Noticerestrict isthe published onmovement GOV.UKof equipment, materials, substances and signsmeans mayof betransport putthat upcould inspread thedisease affectedand areamay torequire informadditional theactions public.

2. furtherand controlsbiosecurity maymeasures includeto restrictingbe vehicletaken. andConfirmed equipmentdesignation movements,notices restricting siteare activitiesmade (likepublic, disposalincluding ofthrough waste)publication oron anyGOV.UK otherand activitysigns thatmay couldbe spreadput theup disease,in and additionalaround biosecuritythe affected area. You must comply with any disease control measures (likein usethe ofnotice. on-siteFailure equipmentto disinfection)do mayso alsois bean required.offence. 

3. theThe FHI will investigate where the disease camemay have come from and whether it hasmay spread,have andspread. putThis controlscan oninclude sitestracing wheremovements theof diseasefish couldand haveshellfish, spreadand fromconsidering orlinks tosuch (foras exampleshared whenwater fishsupplies, equipment or shellfishtransport. haveIf beenneeded, movedthe orFHI theremay areplace watercontrols andon equipmentother connections)sites to prevent or limit further spread. These sites are also investigated on suspicion of listed disease.spread. 

4. aA Confirmedconfirmed Designationdesignation Noticenotice canstays onlyin beforce lifteduntil whenthe the FHI are is satisfied that either (a) the listed disease or emerging disease is no longer present in the affectedconfirmed area.designation Thisarea, mayor require(b) thecontinued followingdesignation actions:is :

• FHI superviseno thelonger stocknecessary cull,or siteproportionate clearancefor andthe disinfection.

• and/orpurposes completion of aofficial satisfactory monitoring and retest programme by FHI - this can be up to 4 years, any re-occurrence of the disease during that period means the programme must be restarted.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 Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009.

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.