Koi Herpesvirus Disease (KHVD)

, , Roy P. Yanong , Deborah Pouder , Ruth Francis-Floyd, andThomas Waltzek

Release Date: 1/26/2026

DOI: 10.32473/edis-vm113-2013

Agriculture

Abstract

Koi herpesvirus (KHV) is a highly contagious virus that causes significant morbidity and mortality in common carp varieties. Common carp is raised as a foodfish in many countries and has also been selectively bred for the ornamental fish industry where it is known as koi. The first recognized case of KHV occurred in the United Kingdom in 1996. Since then other cases have been confirmed in almost all countries that culture koi and/or common carp with the exception of Australia. This fact sheet is intended to inform veterinarians, biologists, fish producers and hobbyists about KHV disease.

About this Publication

This document is VM-149, one of a series of the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program and the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences (College of Veterinary Medicine), UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 2004. Revised October 2008, April 2013, and June 2025. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

How to Cite

Hartman, K. H., Yanong, R. P., Pouder, D. B., Petty, B. D., Francis-Floyd, R., Riggs, A. C., & Waltzek, T. B. (2013). Koi Herpesvirus Disease (KHVD). EDIS, 2013(5). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-vm113-2013

Authors

Denise Petty

former clinical assistant professor, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF College of Veterinary Medicine and aquaculture Extension veterinarian, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences

Kathleen Hartman

aquaculture program leader, USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, and courtesy assistant professor, DVM, PhD, aquaculture epidemiology, UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, Ruskin, FL

Roy P. Yanong

Contact

Specialist

University of Florida

professor and Extension veterinarian, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, UF/IFAS Extension Tropical Aquaculture Lab, Ruskin, FL

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Deborah Pouder

Contact

staff

University of Florida

coordinator of research programs and services, diagnostic lab manager, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, UF/IFAS Extension Tropical Aquaculture Lab, Ruskin, FL

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Ruth Francis-Floyd

Specialist

University of Florida

professor and UF/IFAS Extension veterinarian, UF College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program

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Thomas Waltzek

Specialist

University of Florida

associate professor, emerging aquatic animal pathogens & aquatic animal health; research coordinator, Aquatic Animal Health Program; UF College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology; affiliate associate professor, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences; Gainesville, FL

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Publication #VM-149

Disclaimers

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.