By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - A virus never before reported in South African sardines has been detected in fish linked to recent deaths along the West Coast. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment says pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) was found in dead sardines, as well as at lower levels in some apparently healthy fish. Authorities stress that the virus alone has not been confirmed as the cause of the mortalities, with environmental factors also being investigated. People are meanwhile being urged to exercise caution when eating sardines, particularly fish collected from affected areas. Co-ordinator of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), Desmond D'Sa elaborates...

<p>By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - A virus never before reported in South African sardines has been detected in fish linked to recent deaths along the West Coast. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment says pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) was found in dead sardines, as well as at lower levels in some apparently healthy fish. Authorities stress that the virus alone has not been confirmed as the cause of the mortalities, with environmental factors also being investigated. People are meanwhile being urged to exercise caution when eating sardines, particularly fish collected from affected areas. Co-ordinator of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), Desmond D'Sa elaborates...</p>

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