Production of Koi Herpesvirus-Free Fish: Implementing Biosecurity Practices on a Working Koi Farm in South Africa.

Principles of biosecurity and disease surveillance long applied in the salmonid industries to produce certified disease-free slock can equally be applied to the production of koi herpesvirus-free koi, despite limitations in diagnostic ability to detect asymptomatic carrier fish. To ensure freedom from koi herpesvirus, there is a strong case for eradication of known infected broodstock. Maintaining a closed population offish on a protected water source, adherence to strict biosecurity measures, and strategic sampling at a statistically relevant confidence level over a 2-year period can provide the guarantees needed for sale of certified disease-free fish. Propagation of such fish offers new entrepreneurial opportunities and has resulted in at least one breeder in South Africa achieving export certification for markets in the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]