Madison - A deadly fish virus infection has been found in Inland Wisconsin waters, according to media reports Sunday.
The DNS is calling it a “major fish health crisis.”
Two freshwater drum fish in the Lake Winnebago Chain of Lakes have tested positive in preliminary analysis for VHS said a spokesperson for the DNR.
“Yesterday (Friday) was the first day of boating,” said Steve Collier, a lock tender at Menasha. “I came down on the 4 (p.m.) to midnight shift and I noticed all the dead fish floating around. I’d never seen that before, especially at this time of the year. I couldn’t believe how many there were.”
The DNR is urging anglers to take caution so they don’t further spread the disease — like draining boats before leaving the water, cleaning off weeds and mud and not moving live fish.
18 comments for VHS Virus Found In Wisconsin Waters »
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The Wisconsin DNR bungled the handling of the CWD, Chronic Wasting Disease, outbreak in Wisconsin deer for the past few years. Let’s hope they try science instead of politics in this outbreak.
Comment by Skonsin — May 13, 2007 @ 8:57 am
Wow. This is a terrible virus. I hope they find a cure for all those poor fish. Is there any effect on humans if they eat fish with the virus?
Comment by Sunyata1987 — May 13, 2007 @ 9:04 am
We have envasive weeds taking over lakes and now fish virus. It’s about time that the DNR starts paying more to the environmental protection side of their dual role (the other being making every field, forest and lake available to everyone for every purpose) and restrict “lake hopping” illegal or at least very expensive. Until these problems are under control you should only be able put your boat in one lake for a season or have it professionally decontaminated before moving.
Comment by Mercer Mel — May 13, 2007 @ 9:12 am
You can thank Bushco for ripping the guts out of environmental protections and then lying about it as usual. Hence, “the clean skies initiative”
Yes, let’s hope science trumps politics. At least you folks in WI have Feingold-that might help.
Comment by Prissy — May 13, 2007 @ 9:17 am
Miss Prissy,
Since you have Fiengold..May heaven help you.
I feel very sorry for you.
May your mind clear up before its too late.
As far as controling the virus DNR should NOT allow an boats on any of the waterqays until it is cleared up!
Yes it would upset sportsmen but oh well they can get glad in the same pants they got mad in.
I am an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. I support the ecology not the almighty $$$$$.
Comment by Thom — May 13, 2007 @ 9:42 am
prissy,
Viruses aren’t caused by politics. I think if you stubbed your toe, you would blame it on Bush, global warming, el nino, etc.
Comment by alur — May 13, 2007 @ 9:58 am
I don’t blame Bush for the virus, just the war and 3500 American lives.
Comment by TMcCarty — May 13, 2007 @ 10:16 am
PRISSY… be quiet… you silly cow !
Comment by NOE — May 13, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Sorry, but free speech is still permissible-like it or not.
Comment by Prissy — May 13, 2007 @ 10:23 am
Viruses are not caused by politics but are apparently thriving thanks to the anti-science anti-environment tilt of this administration.
Wake up folks.
Comment by piscator — May 13, 2007 @ 10:25 am
bush is a puppet moron that does not know how to deliver a speech, never mind ruling a country like us.
Comment by JVIEIRA — May 13, 2007 @ 10:38 am
You Republicans are an evil, self centered, hateful, racist , sexist, money hungry, intolerant bunch. So much so that you can’t even accept the truth when it smacks you in the face like a dead fish!
Comment by JStonewell — May 13, 2007 @ 10:40 am
This is why things aren’t taken care of. How can you people expect politicians to take care of a problem scientifically, when you yourselves can’t keep politics out of your arguments.
Comment by Scott W — May 13, 2007 @ 10:45 am
Prissy, free speech is permissible, but stupid speech is inadmissible amongst intelligent people. Go wash that chip off your shoulder.
Comment by California Joe — May 13, 2007 @ 10:48 am
Bush and company have been actively under funding all the agencies in charge of environmental protection. They have also done the same to food safety and inspection agencies.
Comment by B Bogo — May 13, 2007 @ 11:21 am
Environmental pollution and diseases, both animal and human, are linked, and this is well-established. Some scientist expect that the Earth may become essentially a dead planet within the next few decades. Most of the species that have inhabited the Earth have become extince. It only takes one deadly virus to wipe out an entire species.
Comment by Edward Shipwash — May 13, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
the world needs a third world war. lets hope this happens sooner rather than later.
Comment by Greg — May 13, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
The DNR needs to ban boats to prevent the spread of the virus to every lake and river in the state. But they probably won’t. Just like with CWD and deer hunting, they will try to protect the fishing industry in the short term even if the entire eco-system is theatened in the long run.
Comment by Skonsin — May 14, 2007 @ 6:45 pm