Controls now lifted at Arden Lakes for Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC)

An outbreak of the SVC disease was confirmed at Arden Lakes, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire in 2017. Fish Health Inspectorate at Cefas, acting on behalf of Defra and Welsh Government, have lifted the Confirmed Designation with immediate effect and that the conditions of this notice no longer apply to this site following the completion of the statutory surveillance and sampling programme at Arden Lakes which were negative for the presence of Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC).

SVC has no implications for human health. It is nonetheless, a serious viral disease of fish, and is notifiable in the United Kingdom.

Anyone who suspects a notifiable disease in any aquatic animal should immediately contact the FHI.

1. Cefas is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), based at Cefas’ Weymouth laboratory, is dedicated to maintaining and improving fish and shellfish health in England and Wales. Its primary role is to act for Defra and Welsh Government (WG) in undertaking statutory and inspection duties resulting from the EU fish health regime and other national legislation in the area of fish and shellfish health. The FHI is responsible for health certification of fish and shellfish movements from other countries, and runs an enforcement programme aimed at preventing the illegal importation of these animals.

2. Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC) is a notifiable disease under The Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009. Outbreaks of this disease have been subject to statutory control in GB for over 30 years.