What is KHV?

This is a herpesvirus, also called (CyHV3 for Cyprinus Herpes Virus type 3) which causes a severe and very contagious viral infection in Cyprinidae.

The disease caused by this virus is called Koi Herpes Virus Disease (or KHVD for Koi Herpes Virus Disease). It is responsible for very significant mortality (80 to 100%).

Sensitive species are common carp, koi carp, ghost carp, as well as carp x goldfish crosses.

As this is a first category health hazard, any case of KHVD must be reported to the health authorities. In France, 9 outbreaks have been reported since 2001: 3 in 2008, 2 in 2011, 1 in 2012, 1 in 2013, and 2 in 2014.