VHS for Dec 5 2006 Meeting

Great Lake Fish Health Committee – VHS Update : Great Lake Fish Health Committee – VHS Update Kelley Smith Gary Whelan MI DNR – Fisheries Division VHS - Update and Actions


What is VHS : What is VHS Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia – Rhabdovirus Four known isolates 3 European 1 North American Causes large scale hemorrhaging in internal organs and osmotic regulation failure Previously known to cause large scale mortalities in rainbow trout and turbot in Europe


VHS in the Great Lakes : VHS in the Great Lakes First confirmed in Lake Ontario in spring 2005 in freshwater drum Fall 2005 – Confirmed in Lake St. Clair muskies Spring 2006 Large scale mortalities Muskies – Lake St. Clair Freshwater Drum – Lake Erie Yellow Perch – Lake Erie Round Gobies – Lake Ontario Found in a wide range of species (15) although not yet confirmed in any salmonid species Likely arrived around 2002 via ballast water from the Maritime Provinces


Great Lakes Distribution of VHS : Great Lakes Distribution of VHS


USDA APHIS Actions : USDA APHIS Actions Emergency Order – October 24, 2006 Stopped all live fish movement between Great Lakes states and outside of Great Lakes region Stopped all live fish movement between U.S. and the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec 37 species listed Washington DC Meeting – October 31 and November 1, 2006 Multiple requests for amendments to the order Requested changes for slaughter, inter-Great Lakes movement, movement to research and diagnostic facilities, interstate movement, and ballast water regulation. Also requested financial assistance.


USDA APHIS Actions : USDA APHIS Actions Amended Order – November 14, 2006 Allows movement within Great Lakes to slaughter facilities with appropriate waste treatment Allows movement to research and diagnostic facilities with receiving state’s consent Allows movement between states with AFS Bluebook Testing and approval by receiving state 37 species covered in order


Great Lakes Fish Health Committee (GLFHC) Actions : Great Lakes Fish Health Committee (GLFHC) Actions GLFHC met to develop VHS management recommendations on August 27 and 28, 2006 39 consensus recommendations USDA-APHIS Conference Call on September 25 to ask what we would like USDA-APHIS to assist with GLFHC presented VHS management recommendation to CLC on October 18, 2006 CLC accepted recommendations and requested agency adoption


GLFHC Management Recommendations : GLFHC Management Recommendations GLFHC has developed a set of VHS management recommendations Recommendations are designed to contain and slow the spread of the pathogen Provide time to protect key broodstocks Provide time to prepare for pathogen’s arrival Allow additional research to be done on susceptibility and transmission


GLFHC Consensus Recommendations : GLFHC Consensus Recommendations Pathogen Testing Fish Culture Member agency and non-member agency facilities Range from testing to broodstock collection to handling outbreaks Fish Transfers - Testing Other Management Actions – Disinfection Commercial Fishing Testing and movement of positive fish in live trade Waste Disposal


GLFHC Consensus Recommendations : GLFHC Consensus Recommendations Bait Industry Testing and movement of positive fish Public Information Increasing public assistance in preventing spread Other measures Preventing discharges of ballast water from positive sources Use of untreated water


Aquaculture Actions : Aquaculture Actions Testing Ensure using most sensitive cell lines Test prior to moving fish from hatchery to hatchery Test prior to moving fish from wild to hatchery or other wild locations Testing in accordance with AFS Bluebook or OIE standards Surveillance Improved understanding of industry Live fish movement


Aquaculture Actions : Aquaculture Actions Egg Disinfection Hatchery truck and equipment disinfection Fish processing wastes Importation standards


Bait Industry Actions : Bait Industry Actions Improved understanding of industry Specific locations of all bait harvest Develop GIS database Live fish movement in state Importation locations and vendors Testing Ensure using the most sensitive cell lines Test prior to moving fish from holding facility to holding facility Testing in accordance with AFS Bluebook or OIE standards Test all imported sources of bait – Only import from negative sources


Bait Industry Actions : Bait Industry Actions Surveillance Industry funded surveillance DNR funded surveillance Priority waters Harvest locations Zones Positive Surveillance Negative Truck and equipment disinfection