Common carp relatives blunt koi herpesvirus infections, offering clues to outbreak control
Common carp are among the world's most widely farmed freshwater fish, providing food and livelihoods for millions of people. But across fish farms and freshwater ecosystems, they face a formidable threat: a highly contagious virus capable of causing devastating outbreaks and wiping out entire populations in a matter of days.
Common carp are a widely farmed freshwater fish species, providing food and livelihoods for millions, but they face a severe threat from koi herpesvirus (CyHV-3). This highly contagious virus can cause devastating outbreaks, wiping out entire populations rapidly. While common carp are highly susceptible to the virus, several close relatives show surprising resistance.
Goldfish, grass carp, silver carp, and black carp rarely become infected naturally, and when infected, they clear the virus quickly and are less likely to pass it on to others. Researchers from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Michigan State University found that these species transmitted the virus much less effectively than common carp, making them poor carriers.
This discovery could help manage the disease by clarifying the role of closely related carp species in outbreaks, ultimately helping to reduce the risk of future CyHV-3 outbreaks in aquaculture.
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