August 20, 2007

Emergency rule to expand testing for fish virus in Wisconsin

A new rule by the state Agricultural Department in Wisconsin will increase the workload for scientists at a key lab in Madison for the testing of a deadly fish virus.

Scientists at the state Veterinary Diagnostic Lab have already been testing more than 700 fish a week for VHS, or viral hemorrhagic septicemia, since the virus was found in fish in the Lake Winnebago system in May.

The rush to contain VHS to the Lake Winnebago system led to more frequent testing at the lab.

A rule under consideration may require all state fish farmers to get all of their stock fish and bait tested for VHS.