Lab Tests Confirm Presence of PHV Material in Sampled Sardines
Cape Town – The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has confirmed through laboratory sequencing the presence of pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) genetic material in the sardines that were sampled.
During the announcement of the lab results on Friday, 14 August 2026, the department stated: “Laboratory sequencing has verified that PHV genetic material is indeed found in the sampled sardines.
“The role of this virus in the recent mortality of sardines is still under investigation.
“PHV was identified in both deceased sardines and, at lower concentrations, in some sardines that appeared healthy, collected from the West Coast.
“This indicates that the mere presence of the virus may not be enough to cause widespread mortality.”
Consequently, scientists are also examining whether environmental stressors such as harmful algae, low oxygen levels, or unusual oceanographic conditions may have contributed to or magnified the situation.
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“This is still a hypothesis that needs further validation,” the department remarked.
“Tests conducted for toxins in sardines collected from Saldanha Bay, Cape Canyon, and Gansbaai, along with a healthy control sample from St Helena Bay, revealed no traces of paralytic toxins that are typically associated with harmful algal blooms in Saldanha Bay.
“Two other algal toxins, domoic acid and yessotoxin, were detected at low levels, with the highest concentrations found in the apparently healthy comparison sample.”
The department disclosed that no additional toxins screened were identified.
“These results imply that the toxins tested are unlikely to have been the primary cause of the sardine fatalities,” the statement indicated.
“Nonetheless, they do not completely eliminate the possibility that harmful algae or environmental conditions may have exerted additional stress on the fish.
“The department has organized an urgent briefing with stakeholders from the small pelagic fishing industry.”
A task force, consisting of the department, fishing industry representatives, and other relevant stakeholders, will be formed to quickly develop a high-level coordinated response plan concerning PHV-related sardine mortality in South African waters.
Through a coordinated inter-agency initiative, the department announced it is enhancing disease surveillance along the West, South, and East coasts while further disease, pathology, and environmental studies continue.
“The department’s routine hydroacoustic biomass survey scheduled for October/November will be the first chance to evaluate the potential impact on the sardine population,” the statement added.
“PHV has not been reported in South African sardines before.
“It was linked to two significant sardine mortality occurrences in Australasia during the 1990s.”
However, the virus was later found in seemingly healthy Australian populations without causing ongoing mortality.
PHV is a virus associated with sardines, often referred to as pilchards, and there is no evidence to suggest it infects humans or other animals.
“The discovery of PHV alone does not imply that commercially caught healthy sardines or canned products are unsafe, nor does it currently warrant a widespread cessation of fishing or canning,” the department noted.
“The biotoxin results are also encouraging, although they do not assure a general clearance of all commercial catches.
“Monitoring and standard food safety protocols should continue.”
“The public is advised not to collect or consume dead or dying fish, and to refrain from feeding such fish to pets.”
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