A virus which previously killed off millions of oysters in the UK and billions in France has been detected in two English rivers.

Oyster herpesvirus disease has been found in the River Exe and River Teign in Devon, southwest England.

The government says the virus, also known as OsHV-1, was found after a shellfish farmer reported “unusual mortalities” of Pacific oysters at a farm site in the River Exe in Devon.

The disease, which poses no threat to humans, previously killed eight million shellfish in Whitstable, Kent, in 2010. It was also detected in an Essex river in 2015.

This was after the variant wiped out between seven and eight billion oysters during its initial outbreak in France in 2008.

The government says it is prohibiting the movements of shellfish out of both rivers – including the surrounding coastline.

It has also ordered any fishermen who notice any unexpected deaths among oysters to immediately notify the Fish Health Inspectorate.

‘Very, very premature’ to be talking about interest rate cut, Bank of England governor warns

Brexit: ‘We don’t want to diverge’ from EU, says Sir Keir Starmer

Cost of living latest: Savers urged to act after interest rate decision; best deals for older phones after new iPhone launches

Read more on Sky News:
World’s tallest dog dies aged 3
Couple save baby shark during scuba diving trip

These precautions are already in place in areas of Essex, Kent and Suffolk; Butley Creek; and Poole Harbour – where the disease has been detected in the past.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Experts say herpes still wipes out 50 to 70 per cent of oysters annually in France, though a vaccine was developed in 2021 which scientists believed would offer complete protection.

Creators of the vaccine are still waiting to receive the green light from French authorities, and the UK government has not alluded to any precautionary measure other than restricting the movement of shellfish in contaminated regions.

Related posts:

Police appeal after newborn baby found dead in Morrisons car park Protesters gather outside Old Trafford as Man Utd face Liverpool Imam ‘melancholic and upset’ as Muslims hold muted Eid al-Fitr celebrations ‘I just want to hold them’: Dad’s tribute after his two children, their mother and friend ‘on a sleepover’ are killed Princess Beatrice ‘so delighted’ after giving birth to a daughter Manchester to get a ‘green lung’ with its first city park in 100 years Bradford Council stripped of children’s and social care services in wake of Star Hobson’s death Under-12s rugby player cruelly trolled heading to final at Twickenham after support from game’s biggest stars Johnson reminds Tory MPs of sweeping electoral victory under his leadership ahead of confidence vote The food bank that ran out of food – because people can no longer afford to donate Johnson told to stop asking Richard Sharp for financial advice days before he was made BBC chair – reports Phillip Schofield ‘took us for fools’, says ex-This Morning presenter