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Sleeping sickness appears to have an increasing economic impact on populations of common and ornamental carp (koi) in France and in many other countries. For less than ten years, cases reported in France have been increasing in number and are associated with high mortality. They particularly concern large carp in winter following stocking of ponds. The disease is strongly correlated with the presence of a virus related to the Poxviridae family, Carp edema virus (CEV), the genetics and biology of which are still poorly understood.
Tests to isolate the virus in vitro have been unsuccessful to date, which makes virulence studies and the development of various diagnostic tools particularly complex. However, recently, detection of the virus has become possible thanks to a sensitive and rapid PCR-type molecular test, which should facilitate its diagnosis and epidemiological study.
The countless commercial movements of carp without health controls, particularly between European and third countries, raise fears of a rapid increase in the incidence of CEV in France. This virus represents a new threat to the breeding of the oldest and one of the most important fish species in the world.
Authors: Laurent Bigarré (ANSES), Marine Baud (ANSES), Laurane Pallandre (ANSES), Emmanuel Meunier (Vetofish), Emmanuel Leguay (Vetofish)
