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WHIRLING DISEASE Aquality Environmental Consulting Ltd. Overview • • • • • What is Whirling Disease? What does Whirling Disease look like? How does Whirling Disease spread? Where is Whirling Disease in Alberta? How do we control Whirling Disease? 2 of 13 What is Whirling Disease? • A pathogen affecting Salmonid fish species • In Alberta: Cutthroat, Brown, Bull, Rainbow, Brook Trout and Mountain Whitefish • No effect on humans • Causes skeletal deformities • Fish unable to feed or escape predation • High rates of mortality • Young fish = over 90% 3 of 13 What is Whirling Disease? • Caused by Myxobolus cerebralis • Two-stage life cycle: uses Salmonids and benthic worms as hosts • Feeds on cartilage of infected fish • Spores can remain in sediment for more than 20 years 4 of 13 M. cerebralis Life Cycle 5 of 13 Effects on Infected Fish • Twisted or bent vertebral column • “Whirling” swim pattern https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLjgDeX8xGs 6 of 13 Effects on Infected Fish • Twisted or bent vertebral column • “Whirling” swim pattern • Blackened tail 7 of 13 Effects on Infected Fish • Twisted or bent vertebral column • “Whirling” swim pattern • Blackened tail • Head and mandible deformities 8 of 13 Effects on Infected Fish • Twisted or bent vertebral column • “Whirling” swim pattern • Blackened tail • Head and mandible deformities • Shortened operculum 9 of 13 How is it Spread? • Spread naturally by piscivorous birds and mammals • Spread naturally by water movement • Spread by humans relocating: • • • • Infected water Infected fish or fish parts Infected tube worms Infected sediment 10 of 13 Where is it in Alberta? • As of Oct. 25, 2016, it has been found in: • Banff National Park • • • • • • • Johnson Lake Spray River Cascade Creek Carrot Creek Bow River (near Tunnel Mountain) Lower Cascade River Bow River (downstream from the confluence of the Bow River and Carrot Creek) • Rocky View County • Lott Creek 11 of 13 How do we Control it? • Once introduced, Whirling Disease can not be eradicated • We can only reduce the spread • Dispose of fish parts properly • Clean and disinfect all equipment 12 of 13 Cleaning Procedures • Remove excess water from equipment, clothing, waders, and watercraft • Remove sediment, vegetation, and fish parts from clothing, watercraft, or equipment with a scrub brush • Rinse all equipment and watercraft in hot water (at least 90°) • Allow to dry in sunlight for 24 hours • Additional disinfection protocols for aquatic professionals 13 of 13 Resources • Whirling Disease – AEP • http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/wildlife-diseases/whirlingdisease/default.aspx • Whirling Disease Fact Sheet – CFIA • http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/aquatic-animals/diseases/reportable/whirlingdisease/fact-sheet/eng/1336686597267/1336686806593 • Preventing the spread of Whirling Disease – PC • http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/plan/aqua/lac-johnson-lake.aspx 14 of 13 Questions? 15 of 13
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