“Something Fishy Going On”: Mzansi Reacts to Herpes Virus Found in SA Sardines
- South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment confirmed a herpes virus in sardines linked to a mass mortality event on the West Coast
- The pilchard herpesvirus has never before been reported in South Africa, and officials say the cause of the widespread fish deaths is still under investigation
- South Africans online were shaken by the news, with many swearing off pilchards and seafood altogether
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Source: Getty Images
A virus never before recorded in South Africa has been found in sardines washed up along the Western Cape coast, and Mzansi is not taking it lightly.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) confirmed the presence of pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) after investigating a mass sardine mortality event stretching from Saldanha Bay to Gansbaai. The department began probing the die-off at the start of August 2026, following reports of large-scale fish deaths at several locations along the West Coast.
According to a report by News24, laboratory sequencing detected PHV in both dead sardines and, at lower concentrations, in some apparently healthy ones. Algal bloom toxins were also tested, with domoic acid and yessotoxin found at low levels, though the DFFE said these were unlikely to be the primary cause of death.
No fishing ban, but a task team is coming
The DFFE was clear that the discovery “does not indicate that healthy sardines caught commercially or canned products are unsafe, and does not currently justify a general suspension of fishing or canning.” Officials also stated there is no evidence that PHV infects humans or other animals.
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To manage the situation, the department plans to establish a task team made up of DFFE representatives, members of the fishing industry, and other relevant stakeholders. Their mandate will be to “urgently formulate a high-level coordinated response plan for PHV-associated sardine mortality in South African waters.”
Despite official reassurances, the announcement rattled many South Africans who saw the News24 post on X go viral.
Mzansi weighs in on the pilchard herpes scare
Reactions ranged from disbelief to dark humour, and a few people were mid-meal when they came across the news:
@sniper93155 wrote:
“First in my bloodline to read a sentence like this.😭”
@IntAlligator said:
“I just had pilchards and pasta 40 minutes ago.”
@justme_Miguel joked:
“Something fishy going on here.”
@Retha_Otimile wrote:
“I am eating pilchards as I read this.😭”
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Source: Briefly News
