Carp from Cork’s landmark Lough test positive for poxvirus

Sample carp taken from Cork’s landmark Lough amenity and from Belvelly Lake near Cobh have all tested positive for carp edema virus (CEV).

Scientists at the Fish Health Unit at the Irish Marine Institute confirmed the presence of the poxvirus yesterday which they said causes koi sleepy disease in both koi and common carp.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said while further tests are being carried out on the CEV detected, this is being treated as a ‘suspect positive’ and will not be confirmed as the causative agent for the mass carp kill at the Lough, and for the lower number of carp mortalities at Belvelly Lake, until all tests have been completed.