{
  "id": 4184985,
  "title": "Scientists probe if herpes virus is killing sardines off South Africa",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/scientists-probe-if-herpes-virus-is-killing-sardines-off-south-africa",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-29T12:10:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3365714/scientists-probe-if-herpes-virus-killing-sardines-south-africa"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists in South Africa are investigating the cause of a large number of dead or dying sardines washing up on the country's west and south coasts. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is trying to determine if a herpes virus called pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) is responsible. This is the first time the virus has been detected in sardines off the coast of South Africa. PHV can cause inflammation and thickening of the fish's gills, which interferes with their ability to take in oxygen. Sardines and pilchards are the same type of fish, with sardines being the younger, smaller ones. PHV poses no known risk to human health. Scientists are examining dozens of sardines collected from the affected areas, and initial results indicate that dead fish had consistently high levels of PHV, while live fish had varying levels. Other potential factors being considered for the sardine deaths include harmful algae, unusually cold sea temperatures, or low oxygen conditions, but evidence increasingly points to PHV as the leading explanation. A biological sciences lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal noted that the herpes virus may not be the only factor and that changes in water quality or temperature can make fish more susceptible to disease. The sardine deaths have also caused complications, such as the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station having to reduce power output due to dead sardines clogging a seawater intake.",
  "summary": "Scientists in South Africa are investigating why masses of sardines have washed up dead or dying along parts of the country’s west and south coast – and if a herpes virus detected in the fish is responsible. The mass mortality of sardines this month has so far stumped the country’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, though scientists have come to at least one conclusion: it is…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Scientists investigate if a herpes virus is behind the mass deaths of sardines off South Africa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/scientists-investigate-if-a-herpes-virus-is-behind-the-mass-deaths-of-4173395",
        "published": "2026-08-29T10:48:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Scientists investigate if a herpes virus is behind the mass deaths of sardines off South Africa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/scientists-investigate-if-a-herpes-virus-is-behind-the-mass-deaths-of",
        "published": "2026-08-29T10:53:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}