Rhabdovirus carpio
Common Name:
Spring viremia of carp (SVC)
Synonyms and Other Names:
Spring viremia of carp, SVC, SVCV
Identification:
Spring viremia of carp is a viral disease caused by Rhabdovirus carpio, a bullet-shaped RNA virus. This virus is a member of the family Rhabdoviridae and has been tentatively placed in the genus Vesiculovirus. Described as systemic and acute, this disease is highly contagious. Externally, SVC is identified by bulging eyes, skin hemorrhages, bloated appearance, a darkening of the skin, and vent protrusion. Internally, fluids build up in all organs and the body cavity of the infected fish and there are hemorrhages in the swim bladder as well as inflamed intestines. Fish infected with the disease may appear lethargic, have slowed respiration, and have a loss of equilibrium. Though most prevalent in Common Carp, other members of the Family Cyprinidae (minnow family) and possibly Northern Pike are susceptible.
Size:
Native Range:
First diagnosed in Yugoslavia, Rhabdovirus carpio has been identified in Europe, Russia and the Middle East.
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This map only depicts Great Lakes introductions.
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Great Lakes Nonindigenous Occurrences:
The first occurrence of this disease in the United States was from cultivated fish in North Carolina in spring 2002 (Goodwin 2002). That same year, SVCv was isolated from common carp in Calumet Sag Channel, Illinois and Cedar Lake, Wisconsin (CFSPH 2007, Dikkeboom 2004). Subsequent occurrences have been reported in Ohio and Minnesota. Additionally, SVCv has been reported in Hamilton Harbor, Ontario, Canada (CFSPH 2007, Cipriano et al. 2011, Garver et al. 2007, MDNR 2012). The Great Lakes Fish Health Committee (GLFHC 2001 - Pers. comm.) considers this virus to be established in Lake Michigan.
Table 1. Great Lakes region nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state/province, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Rhabdovirus carpio are found here.
Table last updated 10/18/2023
† Populations may not be currently present.
* HUCs are not listed for areas where the observation(s) cannot be approximated to a HUC (e.g. state centroids or Canadian provinces).
Ecology:
SVC usually occurs in the spring where water temperatures are less than 18°C. Infected fish shed this virus through feces and possibly through urine and gill mucus. The virus enters fish through the gills or can enter through parasites, such as the carp louse or the leech. Alternatively, the virus has also been found in ovarian fluids, making transmittal though reproduction a potential, however, studies among fry and fingerling fish have shown a lack of outbreaks.
Means of Introduction:
First described in a 1971 diagnosis in Yugoslavia, this disease has also been identified in Europe, Russia and the Middle East. In 2002, Rhabdovirus carpio was first reported in U.S. waters at a North Carolina koi hatchery. Unfortunately, there is evidence that koi had been distributed from this hatchery to most of the 48 contiguous states before being confirmed with SVC. The first Common Carp die-off of wild fish that tested positive for SVC occurred in 2002 at Cedar Lake, Wisconsin. In 2004, the virus was found in Common Carp from Missouri and Washington. Perhaps most threatening to Indiana, the virus was found in Common Carp caught from the Cal-Sag Channel near Calumet, Illinois in 2003. While there was no carp mortality observed, the fish were carriers of Rhabdovirus carpio. This waterway is just a few miles from extreme northwest Indiana. Infected carp are free to swim from the Cal-Sag Channel, into Lake Michigan, and finally enter Indiana’s tributaries of Lake Michigan.
Status:
Introduced and established.
Great Lakes Impacts:
Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...
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Rhabdovirus carpio has a high environmental impact in the Great Lakes.
Realized:
Overall, R. carpio is currently not believed to be a significant problem in North America (Cipriano et al. 2011). Great Lakes native species susceptible to infection by R. carpio include Emerald Shiner (Notropis atherinoides), Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), and Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) (Cipriano et al. 2011). Experimental infections have been reported in Northern Pike (Esox lucius), Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas), and perch (Family Percidae) (CFSPH 2007).
Until 2011, when two fish tested positive for SVCv following a die-off of 200-300 carp in Minnehaha Creek, Minnesota (GLFHC 2012), SVCv had not been implicated in die-offs of native or non-native species in the Great Lakes, nor had there been reports of the virus in commercial aquaculture since 2003 (Cipriano et al. 2011). It should be noted that Chryseobacterium and Aeromonas hydrophila group 2 were isolated from the kidneys and Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus was isolated from the eyes of those fish, as well (GLFHC 2012).
Symptoms of SVC include exophthalmia, darkened coloration, anemia, and hemorrhage in the gills, skin, and eyes (Fijan 1999, Fijan et al. 1971). Because of this, infected fish may be more susceptible to predation (Lafferty and Morris 1996). However, cascading food web effects have not been reported as a result of SVC infection in the Great Lakes.
Potential:
SVC is listed as a World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reportable disease for aquatic animals (OIE 2012) and is also listed as a reportable disease in Canada (CFIA 2012). As such, it is automatically assessed as having a high environmental impact in the Great Lakes region.
There is little or no evidence to support that Rhabdovirus carpio has significant socio-economic impacts in the Great Lakes.
Potential:
SVCv has been reported from a koi production facility in North Carolina (Goodwin 2003) and a commercial fish pond in Missouri (Cipriano 2011), following fish mortality. It has also been responsible for mortality-related losses of aquacultured fish in Europe (Goodwin 2009).
The virus has also been detected in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (Svetlana 2006). However, no such infections have been realized in the Great Lakes.
There is little or no evidence to support that Rhabdovirus carpio has significant beneficial effects in the Great Lakes.
Realized:
Rhabdovirus carpio primarily infects Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), Koi Carp (Cyprinus carpio koi), Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Silver Carp (Hypophthalamicthys molitrix), Bighead Carp (H. nobilis), and Goldfish (Carassius auratus) (CFSPH 2007, OIE 2009). SVCv was implicated in the death of more than 1,500 carp in Cedar Lake, Wisconsin (Dikkeboom et al. 2004). However, the overall impact on the Great Lakes common carp population is minimal.
Management:
Regulations (pertaining to the Great Lakes)
Importation of live fish, fertilized eggs, and gametes of SVC-susceptible species including Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), Koi (C. carpio koi), Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Silver Carp (Hypophthalamicthys molitrix), Bighead Carp (Aristicthys nobilis), Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius), goldfish (Carassius auratus), Tench (Tinca tinca), Orfe (Leuciscus idus), and Sheatfish (Silurus glanis) is permitted, provided they are accompanied by a USDA import permit and a veterinary health certificate (USDA and APHIS 2012).
Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Control
Biological
Single-stranded and double-stranded RNA injections can provide Rhabdovirus carpio protection for up to three weeks (Aliken et al. 1996, Masytecheva et al. 1995).
Physical
Establishment of quarantines, culling, and stock density reduction during the winter and spring are beneficial management practices to prevent the spread of SVCv (CFPHS 2007). Rhabdovirus carpio is inactivated by UV irradiation (254 nm), gamma irradiation (103 krads), heating to 60°C (140°F) for 30 minutes, and exposure to pH 12 for 10 minutes, or pH 3 for 3 hours (CFSPH 2007,OIE 2009).
Chemical
Disinfection of facilities and equipment will prevent the spread of SVCv in aquaculture (CFPHS 2007). Rhabdovirus carpio is susceptible to oxidizing agents like sodium dodecyl sulphate, non-ionic detergents, and lipid solvents. The virus is inactivated by formalin(3%) for five minutes, chlorine (500 ppm), iodine (0.01%), NaOH (2%) for ten minutes, banzalkonium chloride (100 ppm for 20 minutes), alkyltoluene (350ppm for 20 minutes), chlorhexidine gluconate (100 ppm for 20 minutes), and cresol (200 ppm for 20 minutes) (Ahne and Held 1980, Ahne 1982, CFSPH 2007, Fijan 1999, Kiryu 2007). Methisoprinol may be useful by inhibiting replication of SVCv in vitro. Further testing under culture conditions is necessary (Siwicheki et al 2003).
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.
Remarks:
Currently, no vaccination exists for SVC, so the best method for preventing the spread of this disease is avoidance. Commercial farms can use spring, well or other disease free water to prevent exposure risks. Also, eggs and equipment may be disinfected and proper disposal methods may be employed to lessen the risk of exposure. You can also help by practicing a few good techniques for stopping the spread of SVC and other aquatic invasive species.
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Cao, L. A.K. Bogdanoff, and A. Fusaro.
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
8/17/2018
Citation for this information:
Cao, L. A.K. Bogdanoff, and A. Fusaro., 2024, Rhabdovirus carpio: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatLakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=2725&Potential=N&Type=0&HUCNumber=DGreatLakes, Revision Date: 8/17/2018, Access Date: 4/16/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.