Public remain unaware of virus-infected fish

Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Most of the public remains in the dark about a herpes virus infecting ikan mas (carp) despite the recent discovery of it in carp and koi fishponds across Java earlier this month and a government warning issued to cook the fish thoroughly to avoid infection.

Most vendors and buyers at traditional markets said on Saturday that they were unaware of the news, while the price and sale of the fish remained relatively stable.

Makmun, a fish vendor at the Kebayoran Lama traditional market in South Jakarta, said he did not know anything about the herpes virus issue.

"Do you think the results of the research are reliable?" Makmun said.

Some said they were not bothered by the dangers of the virus, saying that they only sold the fish for profit, "and that's all I do know," said Giyatmi, a vendor at the Palmerah traditional market.

Among the few traders who were aware about the virus was Nandang, who said that his boss had received a notice from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, warning about the possible spread of the endemic herpes virus through infected carp.

"I was told not to sell dead carp but to bury it in a safe place," Nandang said, adding that he would not tell customers about the issue as he feared it might put them off from buying it again.

A department store in the Permata Hijau housing complex in South Jakarta was also uninformed about the issue.

"We have not yet received any notice from the ministry or local administration about the herpes virus," Anton, the store manager's assistant, said over the weekend.

The price of ikan mas remains stable between Rp 5,000 and Rp 6,500 per kilogram at the traditional market, with vendors selling between 5 kg and 10 kg in a day.

"At a time like this (the new school year), business is slow as people need money to send their kids back to school," Makmun said.

The herpes virus was first detected in Blitar, East Java, after breeders received a small fish from Japan back in April. The herpes-infected fish had extensive white patches on its gills and produced excessive mucus, which was sometimes followed by bleeding or ulceration, experts said.

The virus, referred to as cyprinid herpes virus (CHV), attacks carp and koi and could infect the human immune system if consumed without proper cooking.

To be on the safe side, experts suggested that consumers fry, roast or boil all carp in water above 60 degrees Celsius.

Jakarta and West Java consumes about 350 tons of carp every day.