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Kota Kinabalu: The State Government has taken firm and comprehensive action to address the mass deaths of pelian (Malaysian Mahseer) confirmed to be caused by Koi Herpesvirus (KHV), following incidents reported since Aug 1, 2025.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the large-scale fish deaths involved several major rivers in Keningau, Tambunan, Tenom, Penampang, Tuaran, Ranau and Sipitang.

He said laboratory analysis by the Sabah Fisheries Department’s Biosecurity Laboratory in Likas confirmed KHV as the primary cause, describing it as a dangerous pathogen affecting Cyprinidae species with mortality rates of between 80 and 100 per cent under conducive conditions.

Jamawi said field investigations found the outbreak was mainly caused by the uncontrolled release of non-endemic fish, particularly koi and other Cyprinidae species, into public waters, with the ongoing dry season further increasing water temperatures and accelerating the spread of the virus.

He said the government has directed immediate control measures, including the removal and destruction of non-endemic species, a temporary ban on the import and export of Cyprinidae fish, and stricter enforcement under the Sabah Inland Fisheries Enactment.