Indonesian experience on the outbreak of koi herpesvirus in koi and carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Koi herpesvirus (KHV) is a new emerging disease known to cause gill and skin damage in koi and carp (Cyprinus carpio). The disease is suspected to have been introduced into Indonesia through importation of koi from Hongkong. It is currently occurring in Indonesia since March 2002 starting in the area of Blitar in East Java. Since then it has been spreading rapidly throughout Java Island, Bali, southern part of Sumatra, East Kalimantan and Central Sulawesi. The disease caused very high mortality (80-95%) to both koi and common carp with estimated losses of more than 150 billion rupiahs (equal to US$15 M) as of December 2003. To prevent the spread of the outbreaks to other islands, the Government of Indonesia issued Ministerial Degrees that declared Java and Bali Islands as an isolated area of the disease and moving koi and carp from Java and Bali Islands to other islands are strictly prohibited or should follow quarantine check for KHV. In addition, importing koi and common carp is permitted only from free KHV countries. A task force consisted of international, national and local experts were organized to conduct emergency assessment of the disease situation through epidemiological investigations, field observations and laboratory examinations. Information on KHV was disseminated widely across the country with the use of TV, radio, newspaper, posters, pamphlets and technical guideline. In farm level, biosecurity concept was applied to reduce the risk of KHV outbreak. The implementations of government regulations pertaining the outbreak and key components of biosecurity are discussed in this paper.