DNR confirms presence of lethal fish virus in Lake Winnebago

After detecting the lethal fish virus in Little Lake Butte des Morts less than a week ago, the Wisconsin state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Friday confirmed the presence of this contagious virus, dubbed viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS, in Lake Winnebago.

Last weekend, the Wisconsin DNR reported that two freshwater drum fish or sheepshead plucked from the Little Lake Butte des Morts in the Lake Winnebago Chain of Lakes have tested positive in preliminary analysis for VHS, a new lethal fish virus that kills fish the same way Ebola virus (a group of exotic viral agents that cause a severe hemorrhagic fever disease in humans and other primates) kills people.

The virus previously found in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario for the first time was reported in state waters.

Now the department announced the similar lab results for seven dead freshwater drum recently retrieved from Lake Winnebago. The officials from DNR say the preliminary test results for the sheepshead taken from the West and South shores of the lake showed that they were infected with the virus.

Little Lake Butte des Morts is part of the lower Fox River, which flows from Lake Winnebago to the bay of Green Bay.

Bob Stark, chairman of the Fox River Navigational System Authority, said the agency notified him of the latest results on Friday afternoon. The DNR also told him to reopen the Menasha lock, where numerous dead fish were found, and which had been closed since last Saturday to prevent any spread of the virus to Lake Winnebago.

"It really sickens me to know this thing is in Lake Winnebago," Stark said. "It's a terrible thing that has happened."

The VHS virus is not a threat to people who handle infected fish or want to eat their catch. Although, sheepshead are the only fish in Wisconsin to have infected with the virus, but experts say it can kill 37 fish species, including chinook and coho salmon, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, walleyes and yellow perch.

The virus that has caused huge fish kills in several eastern Great Lakes in 2005 and 2006 is yet to be found in Lake Michigan.

In order to prevent the virus from spreading, DNR, which is dedicated to the preservation, protection, effective management, and maintenance of Wisconsin's natural resources, has issued emergency rules.

It requires anglers to drain all water from their boat, trailer, bait buckets, coolers, and other containers before they leave the landing or shore fishing site of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Mississippi River or their tributaries.

The rules also prevent people from transporting live fish, including bait fish, away from any Great Lakes or Mississippi River drainage landing or shore fishing location. This includes tributaries up to the first dam.

The rules also require boaters and anglers to avoid the use of "cut" or dead bait from other waters (except when fishing in Lake Michigan, Green Bay, or tributaries).

DNR Secretary Scott Hassett said Friday that the infection, which causes anemia and hemorrhaging in fish, is a serious threat to state fisheries and to "Wisconsin's $2.3 billion fishing industry."

The DNR is responsible for implementing the laws of the state and, where applicable, the laws of the federal government that protect and enhance the natural resources of our state. It is the one agency charged with full responsibility for coordinating the many disciplines and programs necessary to provide a clean environment and a full range of outdoor recreational opportunities for Wisconsin citizens and visitors.

The VHS virus is a serious pathogen of fresh and saltwater fish that is shed in the urine and reproductive fluids of fish into the water and can survive in water for at least 14 days. Virus particles in the water infect the gills (external respiratory organs of most aquatic animals) of the fish and within 2 days, the infected fish will start shedding the virus. Thus, water discharged from live wells, bilges and bait buckets can spread the virus from infected waters.

The clinical symptoms of VHS may include hemorrhaging (bleeding), strange behavior, anemia, bulging eyes, bloated abdomens, and the rapid onset of death; however, these symptoms could apply to many other fish ailments. VHS must be confirmed by lab tests.