KHV Outbreak Shropshire Fishery Closure

A Major Outbreak Hits Spring Lea Fishery

A KHV outbreak in Shropshire has forced the temporary closure of a popular carp fishery, raising serious concern among UK anglers. Koi Herpes Virus (KHV) poses a major threat to carp populations, and recent tests confirmed its presence in several local waters. In this article, we’ll explain what the KHV outbreak Shropshire fishery closure means, how it could affect future angling sessions, and the essential steps every carp angler should take to protect fish health.

“Fishing has been suspended until further notice to protect the stock and stop the disease spreading,” Spring Lea Fishery confirmed in a recent statement.
— Source: Shropshire Star

🧬 What Is KHV?

KHV is a highly contagious viral infection affecting all carp species, including common, mirror, and koi carp.
The virus thrives in water temperatures between 16 °C – 28 °C, which makes late summer a critical risk period for outbreaks.

Typical symptoms include:

• Sunken eyes
• Pale or necrotic gills
• Lesions or peeling skin
• Erratic swimming and lethargy

There is no cure for KHV, and outbreaks can devastate fisheries, often killing large numbers of carp within days.
While it poses no risk to humans, it is classed as a notifiable disease under UK law, meaning fisheries must report all suspected cases to the FHI.

🧯 What the Controls Mean

The Spring Lea site has been placed under statutory restrictions.
This means:

• No fish, water, or equipment may leave the site.
• The FHI will monitor the water and sample fish to track the spread.
• The fishery must remain closed until cleared by government testing.

Full details are listed on the official GOV.UK outbreak register.

🧼 How Anglers Can Help Stop the Spread

Even if you don’t fish at Spring Lea, every carp angler should follow strict hygiene when moving between venues.

Essential steps:

1. Disinfect landing nets, mats, and weigh slings after every session.
2. Dry equipment thoroughly — sunlight kills the virus.
3. Never transfer water or fish between fisheries.
4. Report suspicious fish deaths to your local authority or FHI.
5. Avoid sharing bait water or buckets with other anglers.

Small changes like these make a big difference in protecting local waters.

💬 What This Means for UK Carp Fishing

Outbreaks like this don’t just close individual lakes — they shake confidence across the angling community.
Fishery owners are reminded to keep biosecurity stations stocked and visible, and anglers are being asked to take personal responsibility for their gear hygiene.

As autumn approaches and temperatures drop, the risk will ease, but this outbreak is a stark reminder that KHV remains an ever-present threat to carp fisheries nationwide.

🪝 Final Thoughts

The closure of Spring Lea Fishery is disappointing news for Shropshire anglers, but it’s also an opportunity to refocus on what keeps the sport healthy — respect for the fish, care for our gear, and vigilance against disease.

Let’s hope Spring Lea recovers quickly and other waters remain unaffected.

Sources:

• Shropshire Star – “Outbreak of serious viral carp disease confirmed at fishery near Shrewsbury”
• GOV.UK – Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) Outbreak Register, 2025