Disease status of fish, shellfish and crustacean

If you suspect notifiable fish or shellfish disease

Serious fish or shellfish diseases are called ‘notifiable’ because you must immediately report that you suspect or know about them to the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI).

You must tell the FHI immediately if your fish or shellfish:

• could be infected with a notifiable disease (you must report it even if you only suspect an infection)
• are dying in larger numbers or more than normal
• are affected by unusual deaths

Disease status for England and Wales

Fish

Crustaceans

Molluscs

Disease investigations

If the FHI suspects a notifiable or emerging disease:

1. an Initial Designation Notice is made to prevent further spread of disease from the affected area by restricting movements of fish or shellfish, and through application of additional biosecurity measures when required. An initial designation notice is not made public.
2. the FHI will undertake a disease investigation which includes collection of samples to test for the disease in question. Depending on the type of tests required it can take a minimum of 14 days from receipt of sample at the laboratory to getting results, the FHI will advise the site operator on what to expect and keep them informed of progress.
3. if the tests are negative and notifiable or emerging disease isn’t found the Initial Designation Notice is lifted immediately.
4. if notifiable or emerging disease is confirmed (the tests are positive), the FHI make a Confirmed Designation Notice (a legal order restricting movements of aquatic animals into, out of and within the affected area). A Confirmed Designation Notice is made publicly available on GOV.UK and signs may be put up in the affected area to inform the public.
5. further controls may include restricting vehicle and equipment movements, restricting some site activities (like disposal of waste) and additional biosecurity measures (like using on-site equipment disinfection facilities).
6. the Confirmed Designation Notice can only be lifted when the FHI are satisfied that the disease is no longer present in the affected area. This requires the following, as determined by the FHI and based on official requirements and controls:

• FHI supervise a stock cull, site clearance and disinfection (this is the preferred option and happens whenever possible)
• and/ or completion of a satisfactory monitoring and retest programme by FHI - this can be up to 4 years, any re-occurrence of the disease during that period means the programme must be restarted

Outbreaks of fish and shellfish disease

For up to date confirmed disease outbreaks in England and Wales.

Read the regulations

Serious fish and shellfish diseases are controlled by law under the Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009.

Contact

Email: fhi@cefas.co.uk

Telephone: 01305 206700

Monday to Thursday - 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4:30 pm