The VHS fish virus

Source: AVMA Media - utilized by http://tinyurl.com/2cmcbf,

http://tinyurl.com/2mprbj and others.

US - Veterinarians and biologists are alerting anglers, aquaculture
operators, fish dealers and boaters to a deadly virus that has
recently killed thousands of freshwater fish in and around the Great Lakes.

Known as viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), the virus has been
detected in eight Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces, and
affects 39 different species of fish. Several of the species affected
are favorites of freshwater fishing and are important in the
aquaculture industry, including largemouth and smallmouth bass,
crappie, bluegill and perch. The virus poses no threat to humans or
seafood, but it is easily spread among fish and could have a
devastating impact on fish populations.

There is no known cure for the virus, which causes bleeding of the
fish's tissues, including internal organs.

A federal order issued by the United States Department of
Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in
November 2006 prohibits the movement of affected species from state
to state unless the fish are tested for and documented as being free
of the virus.

"This federal order has put a stop on the movement of fish worth many
millions of dollars," said Dr. David Scarfe, assistant director of
the American Veterinary Medical Association's Scientific Activities Division.

"Aquatic veterinarians are rallying to help aquaculture producers in
testing and issuing certificates of veterinary inspection to
demonstrate that their fish are free of VHS."

In the meantime, anglers and boaters are urged to take the following
steps to prevent the spread of the virus:
* Do not move live fish or fish eggs from one body of water to another.
* Drain all water from bilges, bait buckets, live wells and other
containers while leaving the landing or the shore.
* Dispose of leftover bait in the garbage, not in lakes or ponds.
* Clean, wash and disinfect your boat, bilges and all equipment using
a bleach solution at a suggested strength of 1 cup of bleach per 10
gallons of water.