Below are some of the questions we are frequently asked, if you have a question that is not answered here then please contact us.

What is the difference between the new ELISA test and the other two PCR tests?

One major difference is that fish are not killed for the ELISA test.
The other main difference is in the results. All three tests can show if your fish are free from KHV. The two PCR tests tell you if your fish are actually carrying KHV, whereas the ELISA test looks for antibodies to KHV.

Carp that have survived a KHV disease outbreak will produce antibodies to the virus. The ELISA test detects these antibodies.

If antibodies are found, this doesn't automatically mean the fish are infected with KHV, but it indicates they have been exposed to the virus. Therefore, they should be considered to present a risk of carrying the virus and will have the potential to transmit the virus to other Koi or carp that have not been previously exposed to KHV, and to cause KHV disease in those fish.

I don’t have many carp, is there a minimum number you can test for KHV?

If you have less than 10 fish then the only test available is a Diagnostic PCR test.

If you have more than 10 fish then you could get them screened using our ELISA test. A vet would need to take blood samples from at least 10 of your fish, but the fish wouldn’t be harmed.

I am importing/transporting large numbers of carp, which test is most suitable for KHV checking?

For large populations of carp the ELISA test and the Screening PCR test are available.

The Screening PCR test would mean killing either 30 or 150 of the fish, but it would confirm if the population of fish were carrying KHV or not.

The carp in my pond are exhibiting signs of disease, suspected to be KHV. Which is the best test to choose?

For carp showing clinical signs of disease suspected to be KHV the PCR tests may be the best tests to use. They will show if your fish have KHV or not. However, the individual fish tested have to be killed. For small populations choose the Diagnostic PCR test, for large populations choose the Screening PCR test.

I have a fishery containing carp that I’d like to add new carp stock to. What could I do to minimise the risk of introducing KHV and wiping out my valuable stocks?

If you are introducing more than 10 new fish you could have them screened using our ELISA test. A vet would need to take blood samples from at least 10 of your fish, but the fish wouldn’t be harmed. This test would tell you if the fish had been exposed to KHV.

For large populations of carp the Screening PCR test may be the most suitable.

The Screening PCR test would mean killing either 30 or 150 of the fish, but it would show if the population of fish were carrying KHV or not.

I’d like to add carp to my existing stocks but I believe there is a risk my existing carp stock are carrying KHV. What can I do?

If you suspect your original population of fish may have previously been exposed to KHV you could test for the virus in those fish. The ELISA test may be most suitable as you wouldn’t need to kill any fish for the test. Carp that appear healthy can carry the virus for long periods of time, and they have the potential to transmit the virus to other carp.

My carp have died. I think it might be KHV. Can you confirm this?

We can test for KHV in dead fish, using the Diagnostic PCR test. There is a time limit from death for the virus to survive. Ideally the fish should be rapidly frozen within 30 minutes of death. See the Diagnostic PCR section for more details.