According to ORF, the cause of the carp die-off is the koi herpes virus. The University of Veterinary Medicine identified this virus after examining the dead fish.
The virus entered the Old Danube through illegally released koi fish
The Austrian Fisheries Society has determined that the virus entered the waters through the illegal release of koi fish. Unfortunately, the affected carp apparently have no defense against this pathogen.
Although 200 carp have died so far, Stefan La Garde from the Fisheries Society emphasizes that the general fish population in the Old Danube is not endangered. The questions that now arise are primarily whether the entire carp population can survive the virus. La Garde is optimistic about the resilience of the remaining fish.
Measures to remove the carcasses
The dead fish are collected by the responsible supervisory authorities and volunteers from the fishing association. MA 45, which is responsible for water protection, supports these efforts.
The carcasses are collected twice a day at collection points near the Kagraner Bridge and disposed of properly. It is essential to note that the virus is harmless to swimmers and humans, so there is no immediate danger from the water.
- source: vienna.at/picture: Image by Pierre Blaché from Pixabay
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