November 6, 2008
UK regains VHS-free status
The UK has regained its viral haemorrhagic septicaemia free status after two years.
The UK's approved status for the deadly fish disease was suspended after discovering the VHS virus at a trout farm in North Yorkshire, England.
The disease was eliminated from the affected fish farm, which was subsequently disinfected and fallowed. Statutory controls were put in place on the Greater Ouse river catch area and a disease investigation was conducted on farmed and wild fish stocks across the affected area.
Regular inspection and testing in the affected area during a two-year surveillance programme revealed no presence of the virus. The VHS-free status was regained after application to the European Commission.