Whirling Disease Article

[TubeDude]

[cool][size 1][#0000ff]Heres a copy and paste of the article on whirling disease that appeared in this morning's Salt Lake Tribune.[/#0000ff]
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Whirling disease: A closer look
Legislators say: Trout protection is worth the effort, so an interim committee will study it
By Brock Vergakis
The Associated Press

A disease that can deform trout, cause them to chase their own tail and eventually lead to their starvation will get special attention this year from legislators, who want to try to reduce its effects on commercial and recreational fisheries.
More than a dozen private fish hatcheries have tested positive for whirling disease in Utah since 1991, causing multiple commercial trout facilities to either shut down or be quarantined at a cost of millions of dollars to the state's economy.
''We want to make sure it's under control, that we don't have any issues that will threaten our fisheries,'' said Rep. Roger Barrus, R-Centerville.
The disease, which is caused by an infectious parasite, isn't harmful to humans or other mammals, but it can be transferred by them to other cold-water fisheries through the movement of mud. The disease is also spread via birds, fish and fish parts.
Studying whirling disease is one of about a half-dozen issues the Legislature's Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Interim Committee will study this summer and fall to determine if additional legislation is needed. Typically, issues studied during an interim session

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that result in bills being drafted - with a favorable recommendation from the committee where they originated - have a good chance of becoming law.
Barrus, co-chairman of the committee, said Monday he's uncertain how long whirling disease will be studied or if any legislation will come from it, but protecting trout is worth the effort.
''They're extremely important, not only from the standpoint of recreation, but we have some world-class fish hatcheries here,'' he said. ''It's of high enough importance that we certainly want to take a look.''
Between 2004 and 2005, six trout operations closed - leaving 21, according to the federal National Agricultural Statistics Service. In the same period, revenue from the sale of trout dropped from $760,000 to $540,000. [/size]
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[Dryrod]

[font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]Thanks TubeDude for this report. I haven't heard about this particular disease before now. Will do some research [run a check through Google] into this subject and see what is going on here in the left coast.[/size][/green][/font]
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[Dryrod]

[font "Arial"][font "Arial"][size 3]PREVENTION METHODS FOR ANGLERS:[/size]
[size 3]Whirling Disease[/size]
[size 3]What is Whirling Disease?[/size]
[size 3]Myxobolus cerebralis (Mc) is a parasite that infiltrates the head and spinal [/size][size 3]cartilage of fingerling trout where it multiplies rapidly, causing the fish to [/size][size 3]swim erratically and, in severe cases, die. When an infected fish dies, millions of [/size][size 3]tiny indestructible Mc spores (each about the size of a red blood cell) are released to the water where they can survive in this “dormant” form for up to 30 years.[/size]
[size 3]When Mc spores are ingested by Tubifex worms, the spore changes inside the [/size][size 3]worm and is released from the worm in a highly infective form, the Triactinomyxon (Tam).[/size]
[size 3]Tams are free-floating in the water until they infect trout, causing spinal deformities and decreased abilities for feed. Whirling disease is most infective to rainbow and cutthroat trout, but can infect all salmonid species.[/size]
[size 3]Sick fish Mc spore Tubifex worms Tams[/size]
[size 3]What does an infected fish look like?[/size]
[size 3]Typical signs of whirling disease include a darkened tail, twisted spine and deformed head (shortened, twisted jaw). Young fish may also swim erratically (whirl). However, other diseases and even genetic conditions can cause these signs as well. If you see fish with these signs in an area where whirling disease has not been reported, you should contact your state fisheries agency.[/size]
[size 3]How has whirling disease spread?[/size]
[size 3]Stocking or natural movement of live, infected fish is the primary route by which whirling disease is disseminated. However, there are other ways that the parasite can be spread, including by birds and humans – particularly boaters and anglers[/size]
[size 3]Is there anything anglers and boaters can do to help prevent further spread?[/size]
[size 3]Anglers, boaters, and others can make a difference in reducing the chances of spreading whirling disease. Distribution of the parasite is expanding rapidly in some areas, so you should assume its presence if you don’t know otherwise. Recommended precautions that will help prevent not only the spread of whirling disease, but also other disease-causing organisms and aquatic pests include:[/size]
[size 3]1. Never transport live fish from one water body to another. (This is illegal in many states.)[/size]
[size 3]2. Do not use trout, whitefish, or salmon parts as cut bait.[/size]
[size 3]3. Dispose of fish entrails and skeletal parts properly. Never discard fish parts in or near streams or rivers. Because an infected fish may harbor tens of thousands of myxospores, simply disposing of infected fish parts in a clean drainage could provide enough spores to start an infection. Do not discard fish parts in a kitchen disposal. Whirling disease myxospores can survive most wastewater treatment systems. Instead, discard in dry waste that would go to a landfill.[/size]
[size 3]4. Rinse all mud and debris from equipment and wading gear, and drain water from[/size]
[size 3]boats before leaving an infected drainage. This is good practice for preventing transfer of other aquatic hitchhikers as well.[/size]
[size 3]5. Although the above precautions will remove most spores from your gear, you may want to consider the following if fishing in heavily infected waters:[/size]
[size 3]! Rinse, then thoroughly dry your boots, waders and other fishing equipment. This is generally sufficient to kill the TAM stage of the parasite.[/size]
[size 3]! Chlorine (regular household bleach) is a very effective disinfectant, and one of the few that can kill all stages of the parasite if used at the proper concentration. However, chlorine is a very strong chemical and can harm your equipment with prolonged exposure, so make sure you rinse the chlorine off your waders and other equipment after you disinfect, and dry in the shade.[/size]
[size 3]• To kill the TAM stage, use 1 part chlorine to 32 parts water. It must stay in[/size]
[size 3]contact for about 10 minutes to assure disinfection.[/size]
[size 3]• To kill the mature myxospore that may be found in the mud from an infected [/size][size 3]stream is much more difficult and hard on equipment.[/size]
[size 3]o 50% solution (1 part chlorine to 1 part water) - dip waders into a [/size][size 3]solution of the bleach or wipe or spray it on.[/size]
[size 3]o 10% solution (1 part chlorine to 9 parts water) and soak your [/size][size 3]equipment for 10 minutes.[/size]
[size 3]! Quaternary ammonium compounds are also effective in killing both parasite stages. These disinfectants are commercially available for disinfecting fishing equipment (Bright Water [/size]TM[size 3]) or for the pet/veterinary trade (Roccal-D [/size]TM[size 3], Parvosol [/size]TM[size 3]).[/size]
[size 3]! Equally effective is water heated to nearly boiling (200°F) poured over your gear and allowed to cool.[/size]
[size 3]What can state and federal agencies and outfitters do to help?[/size]
[size 3]1. Provide clean water and a hose at boat ramps and popular fishing spots on heavily infected waters for rinsing equipment.[/size]
[size 3]2. Provide some means for brushing boots, for example a simple boot scrubber like the one pictured here, near the hose.[/size]
[size 3]3. Post maps of the known distribution of whirling disease at popular fishing sites so anglers know if they are either fishing in a heavily infected water or have come from one[/size]
[size 3]4. Post instructions for preventing the spread of Mc and other aquatic nuisance species.[/size]
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