Koi Herpesvirus-associated mortalities in quarantined koi carp in the Philippines

Illegally imported koi carp were confiscated at the Ninoy Aquino International Air-port (NAIA), Manila, Philippines by the Fisheries Quarantine and Inspection Service Officers of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The confiscated fish were turned over to the BFAR Fish Health Laboratory where they were held for observation at a water temperature of 28 degrees C. After 5 days, some fish were showing abnormal swimming behavior and some had died. The most prominent disease signs in the freshly dead and moribund fish were body ulcerations and pale gills showing white necrotic patches, consistent with the clinical signs of KHV infection. Gills were dissected and fixed in 95% ethanol. All of the samples tested positive for KHV in a 1-step PCR assay. This paper reports the first case of KHV associated mortalities in illegally imported koi carp confiscated by the Fisheries Quarantine and Inspection Service Officers of BFAR. This highlights the importance of the quarantine and inspection service's role in preventing the illegal entry of fish into the country and the introduction of exotic aquatic diseases.