Paras Indonesia, 01, 25 2006 @ 07:15 pm
Indonesia Mulls Importing Israeli Koi Vaccine
Posted by: Roy Tupai
The government is considering turning to Israel for help to combat a herpes-like virus
that is deadly to a popular species of ornamental fish kept as pets.
The virus causes a huge mortality rate among koi (Cyprinus carpio koi), the colorful
variety of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio).
Darnas Dana, an official at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, on Tuesday
(24/1/06) said Indonesia would have to import the anti-Koi Herpes Virus (KHV) vaccine
from Israel through Thailand because Jakarta does not have diplomatic ties with the
Jewish state.
He said Israel is the world's only producer of the vaccine. Japanese researchers have
reportedly developed an oral version of the vaccine but are yet to market it.
"Before we import the vaccine in large quantities, we will conduct a study to determine
whether or not it is dangerous," Dana was quoted as saying by state news agency
Antara.
He said the study would be conducted both in the laboratory and in the field. If the
vaccine can kill KHV, it will be imported in large quantities, he added.
Antara reported that KHV was first detected in Indonesia in 2003, when it attacked koi
in West Java province, resulting in an 80% decline in the country's koi production.
Head of the West Java Fisheries Office, Darsono, said a recent outbreak of KHV at
the Cirata Dam had inflicted losses equivalent to about $430,000. "The KHV attack,
which frequently occurs in the rainy season, has killed 500 tons of koi over the past
two weeks at a total loss of Rp4 billion," he said.
According to a study by Maritime and Fisheries Research Board (BRKP) at the dam
since January 6, KHV may lead to massive deaths of the fish if the water temperature
falls below 25 degrees Celsius.
BRKP head Indroyono Susilo said the dam's temperature has fallen to 24 degrees due
to incessant rain over recent days, killing koi bred in nets at the dam.
KHV was first reported in Israel in 1998 and has since spread across the world,
resulting in massive deaths of koi.
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