For Release: Monday, July 23, 2007
DEC Announces New Findings of VHS Infected Fish
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that three new locations have been found with fish infected with Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS): Little Salmon River in Mexico, Oswego County, the Seneca - Cayuga Canal, and an isolated farm pond in Ransomville, Niagara County. Fish infected with VHS have been previously documented from Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, the Niagara River, the St. Lawrence River, Conesus Lake and Skaneateles Lake.
VHS is a disease that causes the hemorrhaging of the fish's tissues, including internal organs. Often, infected fish do not exhibit any external signs of having the disease. The disease affects all sizes of fish and not all infected fish develop the disease, but can continue to carry it and spread it to others. There is no known cure for VHS. The impact of this particular strain of VHS on fish populations is uncertain. It has caused fish mortalities ranging from a few fish to thousands of fish. The disease is specific to fish and is not a human health concern.
In the Little Salmon River, a single rainbow trout tested positive for VHS. This is the first detection of VHS in rainbow trout found in New York. The canal is separated from Lake Ontario by a series of locks along the Oswego and Erie canals. VHS-positive sunfish were also collected during a fish kill in the Seneca - Cayuga Canal.
Sunfish and koi were found to be VHS positive in the Ransomville farm pond. The property owner reported that all the fish in the pond appear to be dead. Fish had been transferred from nearby Twelve Mile Creek during the summer of 2006 as part of a fish rescue operation. The transferred fish were the likely cause of VHS being introduced to pond's fish population. This incident demonstrates the risk of moving fish from one waterbody to another, even during well intentioned "fish rescue" operations. DEC regulations prohibit moving fish, including bait fish, from one body of water to another if they are not first certified disease free of certain diseases such as VHS and without a DEC stocking permit.
Based on recent test results, carp and lake trout are among a few new species, including the Little Salmon River rainbow trout, found in New York to be susceptible to VHS. A single dead carp collected during a gizzard shad fish kill from Dunkirk Harbor, Lake Erie, in April, 2007, tested positive. A single lake trout collected from Skaneateles Lake on June 1, 2007 also tested positive.
DEC's regulations that help prevent the spread of VHS and other diseases into New York's inland waters are available online from the Department of State at www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register/2007/jun6/pdfs/rules.pdf. The regulations restrict the movement of bait fish and the stocking of fish into New York's waters. Frequently asked questions about VHS can be found on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/25328.html. In addition to complying with the VHS regulations, DEC encourages anglers to be vigilant in keeping live wells clean. Live wells should be cleaned with a 10 percent bleach-to-water solution (1 3/4 cups bleach per gallon of water). This will kill the VHS virus and most other aquatic invasive species and diseases.
The public is advised to contact their nearest DEC regional office if they witness a large number of dead or dying fish (usually 100 or more). Questions about VHS and potential DEC actions to prevent its spread can be e-mailed to fwfish@gw.dec.state.ny.us or by calling 518-402-8896. The public is also advised to regularly check the Department website for updated information on VHS in New York State.
