First detection of anguillid herpesvirus 1 (AngHV1) in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and imported American eel (Anguilla rostrata) in Poland

Herpesvirus anguillae (EIVA, AngHV1) belongs to the biggest group of DNA viruses known to induce disease in eel and poses a real threat to both farmed and wild eel species. Mortality rates in eels caused by AngHV1 range from 1% to 10%, and may increase up to 50% under stressful conditions. Since 2007, the European eel has been placed in the CITES list, and restoration of its population has been conducted, among other methods, by active restocking and introducing protective fishing regulations. The aim of the present work was to detect AngHV1 in eel and to evaluate the risk connected with its presence. This study was based on 60 specimens belonging to the genus Anguilla (European eel n = 50, Japanese eel n = 8 and American eel n = 2), collected from north-western Polish waters (Dabie Lake, Szczecin Lagoon), China (food product for direct human consumption) and Denmark (breeding material). It is the first detection of AngHV1 in eel (Anguilla anguilla) in the Polish territory and in American eels (A. rostrata) from China at Polish fish processing plants. However, in imported Japanese eels (A. japonica) from China, AngHV1 was not detected.