Fish Disease Found in Ohio Reservoir
Phone: 612-713-5360 Fax: 612-713-5280 Email: midwestnews@fws.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For additional information: June 17, 2008
See contact information at end of release EA 08 - 55
Fish Disease Found in Ohio Reservoir
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHSv), a virus that causes disease in fish but does not pose any threat to public health, was confirmed present in muskellunge sampled during routine egg collection in Clear Fork Reservoir in late April.
The virus was found in ovarian fluid samples collected from the muskellunge as part of routine ODNR testing for VHSv, but has not resulted in a fish kill. The samples were sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Fish Health Center in LaCrosse, WI, where the VHSv virus was initially isolated and then to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Ames, Iowa, where it was later confirmed.
These results mark the first isolation of VHSv outside the Great Lakes basin. Fisheries officials believe VHSv has been a factor in recent fish kills of several species of fish in the Great Lakes that correspond with the end of spring spawning.
VHSv was first isolated as a virus in 1963, and is presumed responsible for European fish kills as far back as 1938. In 1988, the virus was first detected in marine fishes in the Pacific Northwest. VHSv is a pathogen of international concern and is reportable to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
In 2005, VHSv was first reported in the Great Lakes, but may have been responsible for fish kills since 2003. VHSv has been responsible for numerous fish kills in lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Ontario. The virus has also been the cause of fish mortality in several inland lakes in the states of Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin, all within the Great Lakes Basin. As a result, APHIS issued an emergency order in 2006 restricting the interstate movement of live fish of susceptible species from the States and Provinces of the Great Lakes. Many States around the Great Lakes, including Ohio, developed their own emergency orders restricting intrastate movement to protect other watershed within their states. For a list of susceptible species, visit APHIS's website at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/.
"One likely possibility is that VHS will act like many other viruses in the environment. Typically, viruses or bacteria infect fish, which may lead to disease in the fish if they are susceptible. Once the disease is expressed in these fish, some percentage of the population will die," said Ray Petering, chief of the DNR Fisheries Division. "Those remaining will survive and will develop immunity to the viruses or bacteria that cause a disease. Since there are no large-scale treatments for VHS that can be applied to fish in the wild, the presence of this new virus may result in spring fish mortalities that are abnormally high for a few years as more fish encounter the virus. These mortalities may abate as fish begin to build immunity to the virus."
Citizens are encouraged to report sick fish or fish kills by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or use the ODNR Web site at: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/contactform/tabid/10750/Default.aspx
then from the Topic list select: Wildlife - Fishing & Hunting
Anglers should contact the ODNR if they observe large numbers of fish exhibiting any of the following: hemorrhaging in the skin, including large red patches particularly on the sides and on the head; multiple hemorrhages on the liver, spleen, or intestines; or hemorrhages on the swim bladder that give the otherwise transparent organ a mottled appearance.
This information will help ODNR track VHS and take appropriate actions to slow spread of this virus. Anglers and boaters can help prevent spread of VHS and other viruses or bacteria that cause disease in fish by not transferring fish between water bodies, and thoroughly cleaning boats, trailers, nets, and other equipment when traveling between different lakes and streams.
The use of a contact disinfectant such as a solution of 200 ppm chlorine bleach (5.1 ounces per 10 gallons of water) to clean vessels and live wells is very effective against VHS and other viruses and bacteria that cause disease in fish. Soaking exposed items such as live wells, nets, anchors, and bait buckets in a light disinfectant of 20 ppm chlorine solution (5.1 ounces of liquid household bleach per 100 gallons of water) for 30 minutes is also an effective method to prevent the spread of a wide range of aquatic nuisance species. Routine surveillance, disinfection of eggs used in fish production, public education, and additional VHS research will continue by the ODNR, Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in an effort to minimize the spread of VHS and protect fish hatcheries.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov
Contact Information: Elmer Heyob, State Fish Hatchery Administrator, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife: (614) 265-6347 Becky Lasee, Director, LaCrosse (WI) Fish Health Center, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: (608) 783-8444 Jason Holm, Assistant Regional Director (External Affairs), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, (612) 713-5310
Source: http://tinyurl.com/3q4pqo
Ohio VHS Detection
VHS detected in Clearfork Reservoir Muskellunge
The first Ohio case of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) outside of the Lake Erie drainage was detected by the ODNR, Division of Wildlife and the USFWS disease lab in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Ovarian fluid samples, routinely collected in April to test for VHS, were determined to be positive from muskellunge sampled at Clearfork Reservoir, near Mansfield, Ohio. VHS has not caused a fish kill in Clearfork
Reservoir, nor is it expected to, and does not pose a threat to humans. Clearfork Reservoir fish are safe to eat and contact with the water does not pose a health risk.
The source of VHS transmission to Clearfork Reservoir is presently unknown.
To prevent the spread of VHS to other waters in Ohio, anglers and boaters are advised to: 1) not move live fish from Clearfork Reservoir to other waters, and 2) drain water from live wells, bait buckets, coolers, and boat engines before leaving Clearfork Reservoir.
VHS is a viral disease that was first detected in the Great Lakes in 2003 and was responsible for a freshwater drum die-off in Western Lake Erie during 2006.
The virus has not been detected in samples from other lakes or in the Ohio River during testing routinely conducted since 2006. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and The Ohio Department of Agriculture will be assessing implications as additional information is obtained.
For additional information, contact:
Ray Petering 614-580-7665
Elmer Heyob 614-265-6347
Finding of VHS in gobies in Milwaukee and update on VHS in Wisconsin
Also, Wisconsin has finalized our regulations relating to VHS covering anglers, boaters, bait harvesters, and others moving live fish into and out of public waters. Details on these and other information on VHS in Wisconsin can be found on our website:
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/vhs/
If you have any questions on this information, please let me know.
Michael D. Staggs Bureau of Fisheries Management PO Box 7921, 101 S. Webster Madison, WI 53707-7921 (608) 267-0796 (608) 266-2244 (FAX) mike.staggs@wisconsin.gov
Ohio Agriculture Director Extends Emergency Order Restricting Movement of Disease-Susceptible Fish
"The Ohio Department of Agriculture is charged with the responsibility of protecting animals from potentially devastating diseases," Boggs said. "This emergency order not only protects Ohio's fish population but others in points beyond the state's borders."
VHS is a fish disease, which must be reported to the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) under state law. VHS was introduced into the wild fish population by an invasive species. It is not harmful to humans or other animals. Read More...
Environmentalists sue in Mpls. over invasive fish virus
05/01/08
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Several environmental groups are suing the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies to force them to do more to protect Lake Superior fish from a deadly invasive virus.
The Save Lake Superior Association, the Izaak Walton League of Duluth and Minnesota and Wisconsin chapters of Trout Unlimited filed their lawsuit in federal court in Minneapolis on Monday.
They're asking the court to force the federal agencies to enforce regulations to prevent the uptake and discharge of ballast water from infected areas. They say it will prevent the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS, to Lake Superior.
The federal agencies aren't commenting on the pending litigation, although a Coast Guard official notes the areas of concern must be defined before the Coast Guard can act.
Vermont Baitfish Regulations - VHS
takes into account many of the concerns of anglers and yet still helps protect Vermont fisheries from a deadly new fish virus called Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS). Read More...
Michigan Water Use Legislation
April 14, 2008 10:00 PM Filed in: Lake St.
Clair |
Great
Lakes
Hello, Metro West members.
The status of the proposed water use legislation is that it is currently being debated in Lansing. Your legislators need to hear from steelhead/salmon fishermen and cottage owners right now.
This weekend and next week is VERY IMPORTANT timing to send your comments to your legislators. Indications are that the legislature will try to wrap up the deliberations and try to arrive at a consensus on the legislation in the next two weeks.... Read More...
2008 MI DNR Coolwater Production Strategy
Subject: 2008 MI DNR Coolwater Production Strategy
Date: April 9, 2008 10:46:05 AM GMT-04:00
The attached document outlines the coolwater production strategy that MI DNR will implement this year. It is a risk minimization strategy (not no risk) and starts us on the path to learning how to manage around VHSv.
Gary
DNR Coolwater Production Strategy for 2008
NPS Position on VHS and Bait in Lake Superior
April 04, 2008 10:42 PM Filed in: Great Lakes
| Lake
Superior
CDN NAAHP Information Update - VHS Surveillance
April 02, 2008 10:39 PM Filed in: Canada
Surveillance for Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus in Wild Fish in Canada - Spring 2007
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/aqua/virsep/200709e.shtml
VHS Prevention and Response Plan Approved
