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Showing all entries for whirling disease.
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| QUESTION #957 |
4/27/2007 5:34:35 AM |
[whirling disease] |
If I don't have time to dry my equipment before moving to another watershed, can I use bleach to kill the vector? What solution do you recommend?
I would like a photograph of an infected fish for our website notice about Whirling Disease. Whom do I contact about permission to borrow one from you?
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ANSWER:
Good questions. We simply recommend careful cleaning and drying of gear and do not recommend or endorse any chemical treatments. However, there is some evidence that a bleach solution can deactivate some of the parasitic spores that cause whirling disease. It can be harmful to your gear and can be harmful to the environment so be careful if you decide to use it.
The Fish and Wildlife Service has this recommendation on their website:
* 50% solution (1 part chlorine to 1 part water) - dip waders into a solution of the bleach or wipe or spray on.
* 10% solution (1 part chlorine to 9 parts water) and soak your equipment for 10 minutes.
I don't know of experimental evidence testing this protocol on gear. Given this lack of evidence and the potential harm to the environment, we continue to recommend careful cleaning and drying. That is generally endorsed as the best way to deal with all fish pathogens and aquatic invasive species.
For photographs, you can take images from our website. Just be sure to give credit to the Whirling Disease Initiative.
Kajsa Stromberg
Whirling Disease Initiative
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| QUESTION #929 |
4/23/2007 6:58:51 AM |
[whirling disease] |
I have a two part question. I have read that once the Whirling Disease is established in a stream, river etc., it can not be erradicated. Is this true? I believe that the Potomac river from Gorman to Kitzmiller, Md. is the best trout stream in the State. Will it be stocked in the future and can it be more effectively stocked with brown trout since I heard they are immune or at least resistant to the disease? Thanks!
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ANSWER:
In most cases, the whirling disease parasite cannot be erradicated from a stream once it is established. However, there are some cases where the parasite has naturally reduced in numbers over time until it could no longer be detected. So - it's very important to prevent the parasite's introduction, but it's also not entirely hopeless.
It's important to note that just because the parasite is present, that doesn't necessarily mean that the fish will get whirling disease. Fish can become infected and be carriers of the parasite without developing the disease. However, when enough parasites are present and the fish are vulnerable, they can get whirling disease.
I don't know about the State of Maryland's plans to stock the Potomac and I would suggest contacting your local biologist or fisheries manager to find out for sure.
Ensuring that parasites are not being added to the system through stocking of infected fish will provide protection to that fishery. There are also ways to manage stocking that protect the fish as well. Brown trout are more resistant to whirling disease that brook trout or rainbow trout. Also, stocking larger and older fish can be a good idea since brook and rainbow trout are most vulnerable when very young. Maintaining good water quality is also very important to maintain fish health.
I hope that information is helpful for you. Please let me know if you have further questions.
Kajsa Stromberg
Whirling Disease Initiative
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| QUESTION #905 |
4/18/2007 11:34:38 AM |
[whirling disease] |
Given that myxospores are quite robust/resistant with regard to digestion (e.g. when tubifex worms are ingested by fish),wastewater treatment, etc, what is known concerning its potential spread through otter droppings? How about interbasin transfers of raw water?
I am a former fisheries biologist / ecologist and own a portion of a small, eastern stream which uniquely supports natural reproduction of brook, brown, and rainbow. It is a tributary to a larger river recently thought to have become potentially exposed to WD via MDDNR's stocking of infected hatchery trout.
There is a fairly effective man-made barrier to fish migration which may offer some restraint to the potential upstream spread of the disease from the river to the tributary stream, but otters originating and foraging in the river are not infrequently observed above this barrier. Given that the disease agent makes its home within bony tissues, and that otters pass intact trout vertebrae which are apparently only lightly digested, I am speculating that the former might be spread via the latter. Your insights would be most appreciated.
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ANSWER:
Unfortunately, we don't have conclusive information about the passage of myxospores by mammals like otters. It's possible that the spores could survive passage if they remain encased in bone. However, it's also possible that the temperature or pH in the animal's gut would deactivate the parasite.
There have been mixed results in experiments involving birds. In some cases, the parasite has remained viable after passage through the bird's dietary system. In others, the parasite was not viable.
Probably the risk due to transport by mammals is very low compared to the movement of infected fish.
Regarding interbasin transfers of raw water, that could lead to the transfer of Myxobolus cerebralis parasites.
The barrier you've described is likely to offer you some protection. Besides that, we always recommend the dos and don'ts on our brochure available here:
http://whirlingdisease.montana.edu/resources/publications.htm
Your portion of stream sounds like a gem!
Kajsa Stromberg
Whirling Disease Initiative
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| QUESTION #891 |
4/16/2007 11:02:01 AM |
[whirling disease] |
Cleaning the uppers of my waders and my boat hull are a cinch but how do I get the felt soles of my waders clean of such a parasite?
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ANSWER:
We recommend that you do the best you can to clean all visible mud and debris from the felt soles before leaving the fishing site. A brush can be helpful.
Then, since it is nearly impossible to remove all of the mud and potential parasites, be sure to COMPLETELY DRY your boots before visiting another location.
If you follow those precautions, the risk of introducing the whirling disease parasite is likely to be low. To be even more careful, you can also consider switching to a rubber sole boot rather than felt. These are easier to clean completely and the manufacturers are coming out with improved designs and traction.
Let me know if you have further questions. Happy fishing!
Kajsa Stromberg
Whirling Disease Initiative
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