Fish Health Survey Discovers Bass Virus
Morgantown Dominion Post
11 March 2012
Submitted as DNR BRIEFS
SOUTH CHARLESTON — Recent fish health surveys conducted by the
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) revealed the
presence of largemouth bass virus (LMBV) in four West Virginia
lakes, according to Bret Preston, assistant chief of the Wildlife
Resources Section.
Surveys performed during the summer and early fall of 2011 were
focused on monitoring overall fish health in water bodies where
DNR staff collects broodstock for hatchery production. Several
species of fish were collected from 10 water bodies and samples
were sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Lamar Fish
Health Laboratory for analysis.
Virology and bacteriology results were negative for targeted
pathogens except for LMBV at East Lynn (Wayne County), North Bend
(Ritchie County), Stonewall Jackson (Lewis County) and Sutton
(Braxton County) lakes. Fish health surveys also were conducted at
Mount Storm (Grant County) and Moncove (Monroe County) lakes and
Little Kanawha (Wood County), Monongahela (Monongalia County),
Tygart (Barbour County) and New (Summers County) rivers.
“Largemouth bass virus is a common pathogen found primarily in
southern United States largemouth bass populations, but has been
expanding throughout North America,” DNR fisheries research
biologist Chris O’Bara said. “LMBV has not been linked to any
human health concerns but, as always, fish should be properly
prepared prior to eating.”
Largemouth bass populations infected with LMBV have experienced
summer die-offs, depressed growth and less than optimal health
condition. LMBV is more problematic during summertime and elevated
stressful conditions. The spread of LMBV has been linked to
increased stress, fish-to-fish contact and movement of fish and
water between water bodies.
To minimize the spread of LMBV and all fish pathogens, the DNR
encourages anglers not to transfer any live fish or water between
water bodies, handle all fish with care prior to release, reduce
stressful conditions especially during warm water months, and
properly clean and maintain all boats, live wells and tackle.
DNR staff will continue to monitor fish health statewide and
expand the survey into several new water bodies in 2012, according
to O’Bara.
Results of the 2011 survey: http://www.wvdnr.gov