{
  "id": 1895601,
  "title": "Sardine deaths: high levels of pilchard herpesvirus found in South African fish",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/sardine-deaths-high-levels-of-pilchard-herpesvirus-found-in-south",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-19T08:28:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mail and Guardian",
    "slug": "mail-and-guardian",
    "url": "https://mg.co.za/the-green-guardian/2026-08-19-sardine-deaths-high-levels-of-pilchard-herpesvirus-found-in-south-african-fish/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "High levels of pilchard herpesvirus have been found in sardines involved in South Africa’s extensive mortality event, with the virus detected in all 15 fish in an initial detailed round of testing. Scientists are yet to establish whether the virus is solely responsible, with environmental conditions also emerging as possible contributing factors.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}