[1] It causes a viral disease that is very contagious to the common carp Cyprinus carpio.

It is most commonly found in ornamental koi, which are often used in outdoor ponds or as feeder stock.

Koi fish infected with KHV may die within the first 24–48 hours of exposure.

Behavioural symptoms may include disorientation, hyperactivity and potentially isolation, in which the specimen detaches themselves from the shoal.

[3] In 2016 the Australian government announced plans to release the virus into the Murray-Darling basin in an attempt to reduce the number of invasive common carp in the water system.