Scientists investigate if a herpes virus is behind the mass deaths of sardines off South Africa
Summary
Scientists in South Africa are investigating why many sardines have died along the west and south coasts. They found a herpes virus in the fish, called pilchard herpesvirus (PHV), which may be causing the deaths by damaging the sardines' gills and making it hard for them to breathe.Key Facts
- Large numbers of dead and dying sardines have washed up on South Africa's coasts recently.
- Scientists discovered pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) in the sardines; it had not been found there before.
- PHV causes inflammation and thickening of sardines’ gills, reducing their ability to absorb oxygen.
- Sardines and pilchards are the same fish species; sardines are younger and smaller.
- PHV is safe for humans and does not affect the safety of sardines caught for food.
- Tests found high PHV levels in dead sardines and varying levels in live ones.
- Other causes like harmful algae, cold water, and low oxygen are also considered but PHV is the main suspect.
- Dead sardines blocked seawater intake at South Africa’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, forcing it to reduce power output by half at one unit.
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