South Africa: Mystery Virus Found After West Coast Sardine Deaths

What the report says

Scientists investigating large sardine deaths along South Africa’s West Coast have identified pilchard herpesvirus in fish collected from the area, according to AllAfrica’s report from Scrolla. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said the virus had not previously been reported in South African sardines, but it does not yet know whether the pathogen alone caused the die-off.

The investigation is also considering environmental factors such as harmful algae, low oxygen levels, or unusual ocean conditions. The department said testing found no paralytic toxins linked to the Saldanha Bay algal bloom, while two other toxins were present only at low levels and did not appear to explain the deaths. A healthy-looking sardine sample from St Helena Bay was also examined as part of the work.

Authorities said the finding does not suggest a risk to people or other animals, and there is no evidence that commercial sardines or canned products are unsafe. They said normal food safety checks should continue, but there is currently no reason for a general halt to fishing or canning.

The department is expanding disease monitoring along the West, South and East coasts and plans to brief the small pelagic fishing industry. Scientists will continue analyzing fish samples and ocean conditions, with a routine survey expected later in the year to assess any impact on sardine stocks. The case matters because sardines are a major commercial species and the source of the mortality remains unresolved.