Publication Abstract

In 2007 koi herpesvirus disease (KHVD), caused by the alloherpesvirus Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3), was listed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and was quickly followed by listing as a non-exotic disease in the European Union (EU), related to the Directive 2006/88/EC (EC, 2006). Up until the listing of KHVD, Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC) was the only viral disease of cyprinids listed by the OIE (OIE, 2012). Apart from CyHV-3 and SVCV, in the last five years, several novel non-notifable cyprinid viruses have been detected in Europe and their relation to clinical disease and mortality outbreaks is a cause for concern. To gain a comprehensive overview of current potential new viral threats for cyprinid fish, and to provide an update on their characterization, an open workshop was organized at the 17th EAFP International Conference on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish. Seven short lectures were followed by a discussion, involving an audience of approximately 60 international experts. New field observations and preliminary research on novel cyprinid viral infections were presented, aiming to illustrate their impact in various geographic regions. The main topics presented included issues related to the current emergence and detection of Cyprinid iridoviruses, Carp Edema Virus (CEV), Cyprinid Herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2), and a novel myxo-like virus. Additionally, the promotion of a collaborative approach to be undertaken for the genetic characterization of novel cyprinid viruses was highlighted. The general aim of the workshop was to identify potential collaborative approaches to carry out multidisciplinary studies aiming to define risks, diagnostic methods and suggest adequate prophylactic measures.