Mystery as tonnes of dead sardines wash up on coast of South Africa

• Scientists in South Africa are investigating mass sardine die-offs along the country's west and south coasts.
• Pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) has been identified in South African sardines for the first time and is currently the primary suspected cause.
• The virus affects fish gills and reduces oxygen uptake, but officials confirmed it poses no risk to human health or seafood safety.
• Experts suggest environmental factors such as changes in water temperature may have also rendered the fish more vulnerable to infection.
• The mass mortality event caused operational disruptions after dead fish clogged a seawater intake at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.

IN FULL

Scientists stumped as huge amount of dead sardines wash up on South Africa coast