Cornell researchers help diagnose fish-killing virus

US - Fish kills are fairly common at this time of year, but when a large kill in the St. Lawrence River last month included 18 adult muskellunge, folks became more than a little concerned.

An investigation by Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine, the state's Department of Environmental Conservation and the Western Fisheries Research Center of the United States Geological Survey confirmed the presence of a rare fish-killing virus.

The group isolated and identified viral hemorrhagic septicemia in several fish species from Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The virus is a pathogen of fish and does not pose any threat to public health.

Source: The Ithica Journal