Koi herpes virus (KHV) is a viral disease that is very contagious to the common carp Cyrpinus carpio. It is most common found in ornamental koi, which are often used in outdoor ponds or as feeder stock. The first case of KHV was reported in 1998, but not confirmed until later in 1999.
KHV is a DNA-based virus. After discovery, it was identified that KHV is indeed a strain of herpesvirus. Like other strains, KHV stays with the infected fish for the duration of their life, making the recovered and exposed fish potential carriers of the virus. Koi fish infected with KHV may die within the first 24-48 hours of exposure.
KHV is listed as a non-exotic disease of the EU and is therefore watched closely by the European Community Reference Laboratory for Fish Diseases.
Symptoms of KHV include: