Threat of fish virus has Minn. experts on alert
Biologists at the University of Minnesota have been preparing for the fishing opener Saturday with hopes they won't find what they're looking for.
Aquaculture Specialist Nick Phelps has been helping coordinate the state's lookout for a virus that's been called Ebola for fish for its nightmarish symptoms.
The proper name is viral hemorrhagic septicemia, of VHS, and it's been tied to major fish kills in other states. It has recently been found in Lake Superior, including the port of Duluth.
Phelps says his lab is testing samples gathered from around the state this spring, he's trained veterinarians to help and he's appealing to anglers to turn in suspicious fish.
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He says if the virus is found in a lake, the state will impose restrictions so no fish or water from that lake can be moved.
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On the Net: University of Minnesota, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, VHS
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