NATIONAL AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH PROGRAM - FACT SHEET
Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (VHS) in various
Great Lakes fish species
There have been increasing reports of wild fish
mortalities associated with the emergence of Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
(VHS) in various Great Lakes finfish species. Up until 2005, this infectious
viral disease was believed to be naturally present in coastal Atlantic and
Pacific marine finfish species in North America. Its recent emergence in
the Great Lakes has affected freshwater fish for the first time in both
Canada and USA. This disease has NO human health effects.
What fish are affected?
To date, freshwater drum; smallmouth bass; crappie;
muskellunge and bluegill have been affected by this disease in Canada. In
the United States the virus has been detected in
round goby, muskellunge, gizzard shad, walleye, white bass, silver redhorse,
northern pike, freshwater drum, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and shorthead
redhorse.
How can I recognize affected fish?
Keeping an eye out for any freshwater fish showing the
following signs is very helpful:
- bulging eyes
- pale gills
- signs of bleeding around the eyes, bases of the
fins, sides and head
- darkening overall colour
- distended (fluid-filled) belly
- corkscrew swimming behaviour
Photograph courtesy of Dr. J. Lumsden, University of
Guelph
What do I do if I suspect the disease is present in a
fish I have grown or caught?
If you see these signs or find a fish-kill please
report this immediately to your local fisheries authority. The quicker the
authorities are alerted, the quicker they can organise collection of samples
for analysis by qualified fish health laboratories.
Do not move or transfer any fish that show signs of
being sick from one body of water to another.
Anyone wishing to move live fish from one part of the
Great Lakes to another (especially from areas noted as being positive for
VHS) should contact their local fisheries authority or Fisheries and Oceans
Canada.
Is it safe to touch affected fish?
Yes. This disease does NOT affect human health.
Where has VHS been detected?
On the Canadian side: Lake Ontario and Lake St. Clair.
The USA has reports from Lake Erie; Lake St. Clair and the St. Lawrence
River.
Where can I get more information?
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - National Aquatic Animal
Health Registry; Ottawa: t: 613-991-6855
Canadian Food Inspection Agency - National Aquatic
Animal Health Division; Ottawa t: 613-221-4208
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources - Natural
Resource Information Centre; Peterborough t: 1-800-667-1940
July 2006
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