UNITED NATIONS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- International laboratory reports show 1 million carp in Iraq died late last year from a fish disease, rather than pollution as originally feared, and that healthy fish are edible, a UN spokesman said Wednesday.

Based on all the samples taken by the Iraqi Ministry of Health, test results showed no significant contamination from heavy metals, hydrocarbons or pesticides.

Therefore, the UN Environment Program (UNEP) concluded that farmed carp is safe to eat, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, citing a UNEP report.

"This mass fish kill episode was traced to the Koi Herpes Virus, which is a lethal disease known to cause almost 100 percent mortality rates in carp."

The incident, according to published reports, hit Iraqis hard as they have a favorite national dish, masgoof, which is made of grilled carp.

They worry that the fish were poisoned by environmental pollution in the rivers.