Update on Recent Actions Relating to VHS in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has been taking a number of steps relating to controlling the spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia in Wisconsin over the past few months and I'd like to update you on the status.  Please note that copies of most documents referenced and up to date information on what is happening in WI on VHS can be found on our website: http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/vhs/

1.  We have not discovered VHS in any additional waters despite considerable testing (http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/documents/vhs_widistribution.pdf).  So far it has been found in Lake Michigan and Green Bay around the Door County peninsula, and in our largest inland waterbody ‑ Lake Winnebago.  We've seen it only in freshwater drum, smallmouth bass, lake whitefish and brown trout.  We plan to test a number of additional waters including wild population surveillance, hatchery broodstock testing, and hatchery water supply testing this spring.  Details of the sampling are contained in the following plan: VHS Operational_Surveillance Plan_version_7.doc

2.  We are modifying our hatchery operations to isolate any feral production from VHS+ waters (eg Lake Michigan) in facilities in VHS+ watersheds, and stocking offspring only back into VHS+ waters.  Due to uncertainties about egg disinfection protocols for warm and coolwater fishes, we are not producing any of these fishes from broodstocks in VHS+ waters.  Also due to current Wisconsin fish health standards which require a VHS specific test for any USDA‑APHIS listed VHS‑susceptible species derived from wild (feral) sources, we will generally not be stocking any gamefish fry in 2008.  Instead we will fill many of these stocking requests with fingerlings which will be stocked after being tested for VHS.  We still have a number of captive broodstocks and feral broodstock sources in waters not affected by VHS, so the impacts to our statewide stocking program should overall be minimal.  The main losses for us are the ability to stock fry ‑ particularly this winter when we expect some serious winterkill problems ‑ and production of Great Lakes strain spotted muskellunge since Green Bay is our only brood source at this time.

3.  Regulations to help control the spread of VHS for anglers, boaters, and wild bait harvesters should be finalized by April 4th.  They will be in emergency form for the remainder of the spring until permanent rules go into effect in 1‑2 months.  Here is a copy of the final permanent rule order (the emergency rule is basically identical).  The rules basically prohibit the movement of live fish statewide (with some limited exceptions for bait minnows), require all water to be drained from all boats and fishing equipment after use or before entering the state, prohibit the collection of any live minnows on VHS affected waters, and allow commerical wild bait harvest on non‑VHS affected waters only under permit and with a fish health screening.  Our website contains links to press releases, FAQs, and other supporting materials on the final version of the rules. <<FH‑30‑07A adopted.doc>>

4.  Some aspects of fish movement and fish health in Wisconsin are controlled by Wisconsin Departement of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) regulations.  Generally DATCP permits are required for the import of live fish and operation of a fish farm.  DATCP fish health certification which can include a VHS test in some situations is required for imports, fish produced on fish farms, and for wild bait minnow harvests.  Details on DATCP programs and regulations can be found on their website:  http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/core/agriculture/agriculture.jsp (under the section on aquaculture).  Their current rules are under "resources" and the current emergency rules which are a little hard to find are at: http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/ah/agriculture/animals/movement/pdf/VHSEmergencyRule.pdf.  Questions concerning DATCP issues should be directed to our WI state fish health veterinarian, Dr. Myron Kebus at 608‑224‑4876.

5.  We have produced a number of public education and outreach materials to help build understanding and support for VHS control efforts (which will also help with controlling the spread of other invasive species).  Copies are available on our website and we generally would be happy to share them if they would be of help in your jurisdiction.  I have attached a one page fact sheet summarizing the status of VHS as an example:  VHSfactsheet.pdf

I hope this information will be helpful ‑ please forward to any of your staff or colleagues who may be interested.   Please let me know if you have any questions or would like additional information.